John and Edwards fit for test

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32639, 22 June 1971, Page 18

John and Edwards fit for test

(New Zealand Frets Association)

DUNEDIN.

The British Lions inside backs, B. John and G. Edwards, who received physiotherapy for injuries in Dunedin yesterday, will both be fit for the first test at Carisbrook on Saturday.

With M. L. Hipwell, they were treated by Mr R. J. M. Pow at the physiotherapy school for most of the day. While the news of the good response to treatment by the three Lions would have cheered the Lions party Irish prop, J. McLoughlin lay despondent in Dunedin Public

Hospital with a broken thumb on his left hand.

McLoughlin, who with fellow prop, A. B. Carmichael, is out of the tour after the game against Canterbury on Saturday, had his thumb oper-i

ated on yesterday afternoon. He said he had not discussed with the Lions manager (Dr D. W. C. Smith) his return to Ireland. If given the opportunity of staying in New Zealand for the rest of the tour, he said, he had not yet decided if he wanted to stay. He confirmed that If he stayed, he would not be playing any further games. "The hand cannot be taken out of plaster for six weeks. Even then it would be too weak to risk in a game for several weeks.”

"IN FLARC-UP" McLoughlin said he received the Injury In "the flare up of the game about 20 minutes from the end."

Asked what effect the loss of two props would have on the

touring partv, he said: “It will increase their determination not to take any notice of the supKed tough guys of New Zaad Rujeby.” He win be in hospital for only one or two days. Mr Pow, commenting on the condition of the three other Lions who are in Dunedin, said that Edwards was now moving quite freely. His bruised thigh was clearing quickly. The swelling on Hipwell’s knee had gone down, but he would require more physiotherapy. John’s injury, thought to be a recurrence of an old injury, or even a childhood condition, had eased. J. F. Slattery was still In Christchurch yesterday for dental treatment. T. M. Davies, another top fon ward, must be considered a very doubtful proposition for the test. He was to have his first full-scale training run since an illness but he seems unlikely to be suitably fit for the international on such a short preparation.