Sevens: Captain in doubt for Rio after shoulder injury

New Zealand Sevens captain Scott Curry. Photo / Getty

Scott Curry is set to undergo surgery on his shoulder this week but expects he will be back in time for the Rio Olympics in August.

The All Blacks Sevens captain will go under the knife on Friday, a week after winning the Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year Award at the New Zealand Rugby Awards.

Curry, 27, faces four to six months on the sidelines after dislocating and damaging ligaments in his shoulder during the HSBC Sevens World Series opener in Dubai at the start of the month.

He said he had been weighing up whether to undergo surgery or go for the riskier option of rehab.

Following talks with family and All Blacks Sevens staff, he said he decided to choose surgery which would still give him enough time to return for the Rio Olympics next August.

"I've gone for the surgery option," he said. "With four to six months I should be back in with enough time for the Olympics."

He said it would be touch and go whether he would return in time for the final two tournaments of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Paris and London in May. Curry said it would be important to get game time before the Olympics but he did not want to rush the recovery, and risk injuring himself again.

He said he had spoken to All Blacks Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens, who had shown confidence in the captain.

"When I was given the opportunity [to have surgery or go for rehab] I had to talk it over with family and that.

"Tietj was really good and he said I have full confidence in you to come back for the Olympics, and I'm keen for you to go with the surgery option."

Curry has faced his fair share of injuries in the past, and said he hoped that would help him prepare his body in time for the Olympic Games.

He said he did not expect to win the All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year Award on Friday night in Auckland, beating fellow nominees Rieko Ioane and Joe Webber to the prestigious title.

"You don't ever really expect to get these awards," he said. "You just go out to play rugby because you enjoy it. And I was lucky enough to get lots of game time this year."

He said it capped off a special year in the black jersey which also saw him handed the captaincy for the All Blacks Sevens team, heading into the 2015/16 season.

"At the start of last year I certainly did not think I would be named captain or win the Player of the Year Award, so it is a special year."