James Stannard (born 21 February 1983) is an Australian former rugby union footballer. He can play as a scrum-half or fly-half. He previously played for the Western Force and Brumbies Super Rugby.

James Stannard
Stannard in 2009
Date of birth (1983-02-21) 21 February 1983 (age 41)
Place of birthBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight82 kg (12 st 13 lb; 181 lb)
SchoolSt Edmund's College, Ipswich
Notable relative(s)Melissa Wu (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half / Fly-half
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007 Perth Spirit 3 (7)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008 Force 10 (5)
2009–10 Brumbies 2 (0)
2011–12 Force 19 (79)
Correct as of 14 April 2012
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Australia
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 2010 Delhi Team competition

Stannard was an Australia sevens player and was awarded the 2010 Australian Sevens Player of the Year award.[1] He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics.[2]

Stannard is currently part of the coaching staff for the Women's Aussie 7s rugby team.[3]

Injury and retirement

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On 30 March 2018, Stannard received a fractured skull in an altercation with a 23 year old English tourist, Sam Oliver. The two men had left a Sydney bar at 3am with the altercation ensuing outside a kebab shop. Stannard was knocked unconscious from a single punch during the incident and hit his head on the concrete floor. Following his head injury, Stannard has suffered from vertigo.[4]

In June 2018, Stannard was forced to retire from playing rugby due to the head injuries he received in the altercation.[5]

Sam Oliver claimed that he retaliated in self-defence after Stannard had approached him, made an offensive remark, and initially punched Oliver's left eye. In September 2018, following a two-and-a-half day hearing, Oliver was found not guilty of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Western Force Team". www.rugbywa.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  2. ^ Newman, Beth (14 July 2016). "Rio Olympics: Australian Sevens teams announced". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  3. ^ Newman, Beth (29 June 2018). "Stannard takes on Aussie Sevens coaching role". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  4. ^ Mitchell, Georgina (10 September 2018). "James Stannard still has vertigo months after 'king hit', court hears". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Injured sevens veteran Stannard retires". ESPN.com. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  6. ^ "James Stannard case: UK man found not guilty of assault on Australian former rugby sevens captain". The Guardian. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
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