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Wallabies back Kerevi out injured for rest of the year

August 2, 2022 GMT

Australia's Samu Kerevi scores his hat-trick try during the Men's Pool D Rugby Sevens match between Australia and Jamaica on day one of the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Coventry Stadium in Coventry, England, Friday July 29, 2022. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)

SYDNEY (AP) — Australia center Samu Kerevi is out for the rest of 2022 after damaging his knee at the Commonwealth Games.

Kerevi was given permission to play sevens rugby at the games in Birmingham to bolster Australia’s medal hopes, but he was hurt on Saturday in a pool win against Kenya. He played no further part.

After what he described as “a big bang” to the knee it appeared to settle down, but scans revealed more damage, and Rugby Australia said on Tuesday he was out for the year. The union didn’t elaborate on the injury.

Kerevi was to rejoin the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship after the two tests in Argentina that start this weekend.

His absence is a blow for the Wallabies. Kerevi was a world player of the year nominee in 2021.

Hunter Paisami is likely to fill the No. 12 jersey.

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