Sevens: Olympic dream ends after shower injury

Pama Fou of Australia avoids a tackle from Owen Jenkins of Wales during day two of the HSBC London Sevens at Twickenham Stadium on May 22, 2016. Photo / Getty

Australian sevens star Pama Fou has had his Olympic dreams crushed after slipping in the shower.

Fou, one of Australia's best attacking weapons, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament stepping out of his shower at home on Wednesday and has been ruled out of action for nine months, ending his hopes of representing his country at the Rio Games in 49 days.

It is a bitter blow for the 25-year-old, who spent much of the year in rehabilitation for a shoulder injury but returned to top form in recent tournaments and would have been a certain selection for Rio if fit.

"We're all devastated for Pama," Australia's Sevens coach Andy Friend said.

"Clearly he is shattered himself and it is a bitter blow after the hard work he had put in during rehab following his shoulder injury.

"Pama is a hugely popular player within the dressing room and, as a program, we'll be doing everything we can to support him.

"What with Henry's [Speight] knee on Tuesday, and now Pama, it's fair to say it's not been the best of weeks on the injury front but this now provides a new opportunity for a champion to emerge - and we have a group of players willing to put their hand up to be that champion."

The innocuous incident occurred after a tough week of trial matches at Narrabeen, during which Fou handled big contact just fine.

He left training, went home to have a shower, and as he went to put his foot on a stair he slipped and injured his knee.

In a much-needed boost for the Australian side, playmaker Lewis Holland will return to full training next week after recovering from an ankle injury while Nick Malouf (knee) and Tom Cusack (wrist) both came through trial matches against an Australian development side unscathed earlier this week following lengthy lay-offs.

Friend will take 16 players to Darwin for a week-long training camp next Friday in preparation for Rio.