Maurice Longbottom expected to play Commonwealth Games despite serious ankle injury

AUSTRALIAN sevens sensation Maurice Longbottom is expected to be fit for the Commonwealth Games despite being diagnosed with a serious ankle injury.

Sevens sensation Maurice Longbottom is waiting on a crucial scan. Picture: AFP

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AUSTRALIAN sevens sensation Maurice Longbottom is expected to be fit for the Commonwealth Games despite being diagnosed with a serious ankle injury.

Longbottom, who has emerged as an electric game breaker for the Aussie sevens team this year, injured his ankle last Saturday in the New Zealand sevens in Hamilton.

Scans on Tuesday showed the La Perouse lad had suffered a grade one syndesmosis injury, which will see Longbottom miss the next two World Series tournaments in Las Vegas and Vancouver.

Sevens sensation Maurice Longbottom has avoided serious injury. Picture: AFP

But the hotstepper will be back on deck for the Commonwealth Games in April.

Aussie coach Andy Friend will be relieved at the news given the pint-sized playmaker has already proven himself a game-winner for the Aussie team. His try against New Zealand in Sydney helped them win the quarter-final, and ultimately the tournament.

Other injuries are also not a concern for Friend, with Boyd Killingworth, Ben O’Donnell, Lewis Holland and Jesse Parahi all expected to be on deck for the Commonwealth Games.

Buoyant after finishing first and third in the Sydney-Hamilton swing fortnight, Friend said the team was now charged with self-belief and, with perfect timing, discovered that winning is a habit too.

Longbottom scores during an Australian win in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

“It is as contagious as losing,” Friend said.

“If you become a team that always loses those little ones, that’s the way you’ll keep thinking. But if you can become a team whose habit is to win, you’ll find a way to win and believe you can fight through things by backing yourself and your fitness.

“It’s just really pleasing as a collective group. We have been working so hard towards trying to get results and this game of sevens, it’s around minuscule moments - tiny little moments - and if you don’t deliver in those moments it can be the end of you.”

Australian Sevens coach Andy Friend. Picture: AAP

Unlike the Australian women’s team - who next play in the Commonwealth Games - the men’s world series plays another three legs before the Gold Coast: in Las Vegas, Vancouver and Hong Kong.

With Hong Kong only a week before the Commonwealth Games, Friend said he’d likely do what many will and rest a number of key players.

“I guess you have to be smart there but Vegas and Vancouver, we will send our strongest squads,” Friend said.

“You want those boys playing and if you get an injury, well that’s the nature of the game. You can’t protect them, it’s a collision sport.”

Still uncontracted for next year, Friend said he would likely sit down soon with new RA boss Raelene Castle and begin talks.

“I will hopefully have a sit down with Raelene Castle within the next two weeks and present my vision and my view towards Tokyo,” he said.

Originally published as Maurice Longbottom expected to play Commonwealth Games despite serious ankle injury