Three players injured and one has mumps

GOLD COAST: Illness and injuries have struck the New Zealand women’s and men’s sevens teams ahead of the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

The Black Ferns Sevens have been held in isolation at their preGames training camp on the Sunshine Coast after a player came down with mumps yesterday.

Ruby Tui contracted the viral infection and is being supported by a New Zealand doctor.

She has been separated from her teammates, who have also been isolated until given the allclear.

Mumps is highly infectious. As a result, the Ferns will now arrive at the Gold Coast athletes’ village on Sunday instead of today as planned.

‘‘We wish Ruby a speedy recovery and will continue to prioritise her health and wellbeing and that of the wider team,’’ a New Zealand Olympic Committee statement said.

Kat WhataSimpkins (27) has suffered a leg injury and will be replaced in the squad by 20yearold Tenika Willison. Alena Saili joins the team as the travelling reserve.

In the men’s side, Ngarohi McGarveyBlack (21) suffered an ankle injury in a warmup game against Australia last Thursday and had returned home, New Zealand Games team management confirmed yesterday.

Travelling reserve Caleb Clarke (19), the son of former All Black Eroni, was struck down by acute appendicitis just hours after arriving on the Gold Coast on Sunday and will have surgery in Brisbane.

Rising star Etene NanaiSeturo (18) has been named McGarveyBlack’s replacement but the team is yet to name one for Clarke.

The sevens competitions start on Friday week at Robina Stadium. — NZN