Replacement prop call

Press, 23 August 1976, Page 4

Replacement prop call

NZPA staff cones. Pretoria A call to New Zealand for a replacement for the injured All Black prop Brad Johnstone was made late last evening. This was announced by the All Black’s manager, Mr N. H. Stanley, following the report of a medical board examination of Johnstone. Mr Stanley said it had been established that Johnstone’s injured rib cartilages would prevent him from playing for at least two and a half weeks and it would probably be four weeks before he could play again. The final match of the tour is now less than four weeks away, so Johnstone, who originally damaged his ribs in the second test, is effectively lost to the tour.

Form in the New Zealand season will be the criteria in selecting a replacement. The early favourite was Paul Sapaford, but word reaching South Africa is that Mana-

iwatu’s Kerry Harris has been playing so well that he might be asked to join the team. The All Blacks are in deep trouble over their props, with Kerry Tanner and Kent Lambert still not fully fit. One of them, most likely Tanner, will have to be pressed into duty on Wednesday morning (N.Z. time) for the match against Transvaal Country at Witbank. The All Black winger, Bryan Williams, spent yesterday in hospital for observation and X-rays to his head following a heavy knock in the match against Northern Transvaal. Williams hurt his head when he dived for a loose ball in what looked like a try to New Zealand during the first half. He played on for a while, but left the field soon after. The X-rays were taken to ensure there was no fracture to the skull, but Williams rejoined the team later yester« day fit and well.