Exciting utility back Orene Ai'i has been ruled out of rugby for 2002 with a shoulder injury, meaning he will miss selection for the Commonwealth Games sevens rugby team.
The 22-year-old aggravated a year-old injury in his first match for New Zealand at last month's Singapore sevens.
Ai'i told this week's RugbyNews magazine he expected to be out of action for seven months. The biggest disappointment was that he wouldn't be available for the sevens event at Manchester.
"That was one of my main goals this year, to push for a spot in that team," he said.
"But now it's not going to happen. Injuries happen and I've just got to bounce back from it."
He felt he may have returned too early following surgery last year. He played through pain in two early sevens tournaments and some pre-season games for the Crusaders.
He has not played any Super 12 games this year for the Crusaders, which has been frustrating.
"When you are in that sort of environment it's good to get a crack and play a few games," he said.
"But just with the injury, things haven't gone my way. I've been playing club rugby for Linwood but honest, in club rugby I've been able to get away with playing with a dodgy shoulder. At Super 12 level you just can't risk it."
The injury will see Ai'i head home to Auckland where he will spend time with his family, including eight-month-old daughter Erica.
