Australia's Stannard out of Games after 'one-punch' assault

New South Wales Police said in a statement that a 22-year-old man had been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a 35-year-old man had been punched in an alleged "unprovoked" attack.

Rugby Australia (RA) later identified Stannard as the victim of the attack and said he was in hospital with a fractured skull.

"He's not available for the Commonwealth Games and that's obviously a massive disappointment for all of us and James and his family," RA high performance manager Ben Whitaker told reporters in Sydney.

"We know that right now he needs some time to heal ... and then once that's sorted, we'll look at how he can return to play."

RA said Stannard and a group of players and team management had been at a fast-food outlet following the dinner for Friend when the alleged attack occurred.

Two players in the squad, including regular captain Lewis Holland, and Friend detained the man shortly afterwards and held him until police arrived, RA said.

Friend was told earlier this month that his contract with the team would not be renewed in July, but RA said they hoped he would remain with the wider organisation.

Australia's women's Olympic gold-medal winning coach Tim Walsh will replace Friend after next month's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

"We had an organised function to celebrate and recognise the role Andy Friend has played with the team," Whitaker added.

"Family and friends, players, staff all gathered for dinner and went out afterwards.

"They were all together and there was management involved the whole night, so it was a very civilised, organised event."

Stannard had replaced the injured Holland as captain for the tournament.

The men's tournament will be held on the final two days of the April 4-15 Games, with Australia drawn in Pool B with Samoa, Jamaica and England.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Amlan Chakraborty)