Kick Injured Laidlaw Early

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 18

Kick Injured Laidlaw Early

(From T. P. McLBAN) KRUGER PARK. Troubles of the All Blacks have been a theme in the touring party since the team’s shattering defeat by the Springboks at Pretoria on Saturday. It is now evident that one of the particular problems of the first half, the loss of form of the half-back, C. R. Laidlaw, was caused by a flying boot in a ruck not more than 10 minutes after the kick-off. It is not imputed that the boot was deliberate, merely that it was an accident in which Laidlaw suffered partial concussion much earlier than the All Blacks, especially their captain, B. J. Lochore, first appreciated. From that early stage, so it seems, Laidlaw was at sea

with his signals to the forwards. He even called one code-work for a long throwin from touch when the forwards were settling to a scrummage. Lochore relates that Laidlaw was confused about signals and kept complaining he could not remember what they were. “But it did not dawn on me until only a few minutes before half-time," said Lohore "that Laidlaw was really in the gun.” Whan Laidlaw was led to a dressing room soon after halftime the examining doctor put him through most of the immediate tests. To a good many Laidlaw responded pretty wall. On others he was hazy and uncertain. The doctor took six minutes on hla examination. At the end of it he said: “I think this man has light concussion, I think he ought to be replaced.” As he was speaking the coach (Mr I. M. Vodanovlch) was speeding from the room to the touch-line to send the replacement, S. M. Going, on the field. The misfortune to Laidlaw was

a misfortune for the loam But the Springboks were still by tar the batter side. It would have bean a gross miscarriage of justice If they had lost. OTHER WOES The All Blaoke* casualty list now includes the brilliant young Auckland wing, B- G. Williams. His boot was tom by a sprig during the test on Saturday and the side of the toot above the little toe la now ewollen. The injury Is soon likely to heal. T. N. Lister Is another casualty, but only because or a stomach upset. Laidlaw did not train yesterday. He seems to have made' a good recovery from hie concussion, but he is still troubled by the soreness ot the left leg which developed earlier on the tour and which may have been aggravated by the need to play him when Going was out with injury. Laidlaw's leg was injected with cortisone when he took the Held on Saturday. One other casualty is causing concern—the prop. K. Murdoch, whose ankle was damaged early in July. He has now been advised, after an x-ray. to rest the ankle for a week because of bruising developed at training.

Another examination will bo made this week at Port Elizabeth and If the report Is adverse s replacement for Murdoch may be sought.