The Wales winger had pundits purring on Saturday with his devastating turn of pace catching the eye for GB Royals in the Mitsubishi Motors Exeter 7s at Sandy Park. Everything was going according to plan in what was essentially a last chance to stake a claim for Rio selection. The speedster had already raced over against Georgia in the quarter-final on Sunday, before disaster struck.
“I played Saturday and everything was going perfect to be honest and then I played the first game on Sunday and that’s when I did it – I literally stepped off my right and then it buckled in a bit. I knew something wasn’t right but if I’m honest I didn’t think my chances of selection had gone altogether. I first thought it might have just been a twist – it didn’t feel the same when I did my left one last May,” said a crest fallen Morgan.
“At the time I didn’t think it was that bad – obviously the adrenaline is kicking in but then I went for the scan on Sunday afternoon and unfortunately the scan doesn’t lie. I had the results come back Monday. I’m absolutely gutted but there’s nothing I can do about it – I’ve just got to suck it up and get on with it.”
Morgan said his final farewell to the coaching team of Simon Amor and Gareth Williams along with the playing squad on Monday, which the 24-year-old found tough going.
“I watched training on Monday before I left and SImon got all the boys in a big group huddle and said a few words and gave me a signed shirt which was a nice touch – it was tough leaving there,” he added.
“I still can’t believe it to be honest – I went from such a high to rock bottom in the blink of an eye. I’ve just got to try and remain positive – it’s one of those things – it’s happened now and there’s nothing I or anyone else can do so I’ve just got to try and get on with it now. It’s pointless trying to dwell on it.”
Having been through a lengthy rehabilitation period last year when injuring his left leg, he is fully aware of what lies ahead but he is consoling himself with the fact that this time the right leg hasn’t sustained as much damage.
“The last time I tore the meniscus in the left which I haven’t done this time so it’s a little bit better. As I have been through rehab before, I know what’s to come. I’m determined to come back fighting fit so I’m going to take it head on and get ready for rehab. I know I’ve got a big six months or so ahead to get back fit but like I said, I’ve done it once so I’ll do it twice.”
Putting a brave face on his own plight, Morgan is backing the squad in Rio and believes whoever is selected, Team GB stand a good chance of claiming a medal.
“Right now it’s a bit hard to take but I’ll be supporting the boys 100 per cent and I wish them all the best. Twelve boys are going to be very excited and the rest are going to be very disappointed – there’s no-one who shouldn’t be going on the plane from the extended squad.
“Everyone would love to win gold and I think they have every potential to win a medal – it just depends on how it goes on those three days of competition.
“The past few days have been pretty tough for me but I just now need to get over it and look to the future – hopefully I’ll be back in no time.”
