A BLOW described by police as a coward punch has left Australian rugby sevens captain James Stannard in hospital with a fractured skull after a brutal early morning assault.

Stannard was allegedly “one-punched” in the back of the head by Briton Sam Oliver outside the Erciyes-2 kebab shop about 3am yesterday in Coogee, with witnesses saying the rugby player was unconscious before he hit the ground, with the side of his head striking the pavement.

He was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital, where last night he remained in a stable condition, conscious and talking to family.

media_camera Stannard is tackled by South Africa's Kwagga Smith in the men’s rugby sevens match during the Rio 2016 Games. Picture: AFP media_camera Stannard in action in the quarter final match against New Zealand this year. Picture: Getty Images

media_camera Sam Oliver was charged after allegedly flooring Aussie rugby star James Stannard.

Stannard’s teammate Ben O’Donnell chased Oliver, 22, 200m down Coogee Bay Rd and tackled him to the ground. Fellow sevens player Lewis Holland and Australia coach Andy Friend helped to hold him before police officers arrested and charged him with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Bailed on strict conditions, Oliver is expected to appear at Waverley Local Court on April 19.

Australian Sevens rugby captain James Stannard is in a stable condition in hospital after being coward punched last night. He is conscious and escaped major injury. Police have a 22-year-old in custody — Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) March 30, 2018

The sevens team had been at a farewell dinner for Friend, who will step down after the Games. They had dinner at Crowne Plaza before moving on to drink at the Coogee Pavilion, and a large group was with Stannard outside the kebab shop.

Inspector Steve Egbers said Stannard and Oliver were “seemingly having a nice conversation” but when the Australian turned away, the Briton allegedly punched him unprovoked. “When he (Stannard) fell to the ground he’s done some damage to the side of his head,” Insp Egbers said.

Stannard, 35, was recently named to captain the Australian side at the Commonwealth Games and his sickening injury robs him of his swan song.

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media_camera James Stannard leaves the field following the match against France during the 2016 Rio Olympic Men's Rugby Sevens game. Picture: Adam Head

“The team are shocked; it would have been James’ third Commonwealth Games,” Rugby Australia’s high-performance manager Ben Whitaker said.

“We know that right now that he needs some time to heal and he’s not available for the Commonwealth Games and that’s obviously a massive disappointment for all of us, and James and his family.”

The incident occurred after Stannard led Australia to a big win over New Zealand in a practice match on Thursday.

After the Kiwis suffered injuries, a second trial match scheduled for yesterday was cancelled, leading to the hastily arranged party for Friend.

“We had an organised function to celebrate the role Andy Friend has played with the team,” Whittaker said.

“Family, friends, players and staff were gathered for dinner and obviously went out afterwards … it was a very civilised, organised event.

“It’s an unfortunate incident and it’s not unique but it’s just very sad. These guys were out after a civilised, organised function and its disappointing that these things happen.

“We know through a whole lot of things over the past few years that people suffer because of this and unfortunately James has been put in this situation.”

Originally published as Vicious attack robs Sevens skipper of swan song