'Biggest setback I've faced': Aussie 7s skipper to miss rest of 2023 World Series
Australian Men’s Sevens captain Henry Hutchison will miss the rest of the 2023 World Series campaign after suffering the “biggest setback” in his “career to date.”
Playing in front of their home fans at Allianz Stadium late last month, the Aussie Men’s Sevens team were dealt a devastating blow during their Cup quarterfinal against France.
Sevens veteran Hutchison was helped from the field early in the second-half with a significant injury to his right knee and left ACL.
But the extent of his injures go well beyond that.
In fact, Hutchison might be one of the toughest players in Australian rugby today.
The 25-year-old had sprained his wrist and broken several ribs during the Hamilton Sevens the week before, but was clearly determined to don green and gold in front of the Sydney crowd.
As the reigning World Series champions prepare to continue their title defence without their inspirational skipper, Hutchison has opened up about the “challenges” he’ll face this year.
“Obviously with the 2023 World Series being an Olympic qualifying year, I’m super disappointed that I won’t be able to contribute any further on the field,” Henry said.
“However, I’ll be doing everything in my power to contribute to the team in a positive way.
“I’m hoping that my injury gives new boys the opportunity to develop their game and add new depth to our squad.
“There are a lot of talented footballers on this side – I’m anticipating that someone will step up and get the job done in my absence.
“One of the biggest challenges for me over the next 9-12 months will be keeping my mind active and staying focused.
“The training and the rehabilitation will be the easy part – the mental endurance required for recovery will be the focus area for me.
“I know I have a lot of support at Rugby Australia, as well as from my family and friends, and I’ll rely on all parties to keep me moving in the right direction.
“Injuries are a part of football – they come with the territory. This is the biggest setback I’ve faced in my career to date, but I have full faith int eh rehabilitation team I’m working with.
“I know they will go above and beyond in getting me back to my pre injury state.
“I aim to come back to rugby a better player and a better athlete, mentally refreshed and ready to roll into a big 2024.
“People may view my injury as an incident that has robbed me of a playing year – I don’t see it that way.
“It has given me time to get my body right – I’ve been going pretty hell for leather for six years now. I’ll find the silver linings wherever they may be.”
The Australian Men’s Sevens team are back in action later this month, and will be eager to improve on their disappointing performance in Sydney.
They’ll go head-to-head with some of the best players and teams in Sevens in Los Angeles.
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments