McLean in doubt

Press, 15 August 1978, Page 30

McLean in doubt

PA Pukekohe! Australia could go into; the first test against the All,' Blacks at Wellington on Sat-j urday without its goal-kick-j ing match-winner in the; Welsh series, Paul McLean. McLean will stay at Pukekohe for treatment under the well-known rugby physiotherapist Mr Malcolm Hood until Friday. He suffered torn ligaments in the right knee in Saturday’s match against Manawatu and has been unable to walk freely .since. The team’s manager, Mr I Ross Turnbull, said last) night that McLean and the young Queensland full-back.; Roger Gould, would both remain at Pukekohe after the; team left for Wellington to-| morrow morning. Mr Turnbull was reluctant; to comment on McLean’s ; test prospects other than to;

i 1 say: “It would depend on ilhis medical progress.” If j McLean is named in the side ■ it will mean he will not be (able to take part in the all- ; important test build-up. Mr Turnbull said the first test side would probably be named after the Counties game today. McLean’s injury is to his right knee. He went for a light jog while the rest of his team-mates worked out at Pukekohe Stadium under the coach, Mr Daryl Haberecht, yesterday morning. I Injury’ appears to be the | one reason which could keep ; McLean out of the test series against the AU Blacks ' despite a fall-off in kicking jform. j Two months ago the Aus- ' tralian vice-captain kicked his country to a two-match I series win over Wales in I Australia. But in a startling

' lapse of form the 24-year-old Queensland fly-half has managed to kick just three goals from his 18 attempts on the current tour.

Should McLean be unavailable for the test his place will undoubtedly be taken by his diminutive Sydney understudy, Ken Wright. Teams for today’s match which starts at 2.30 p.m., are:—

Counties.— Bob Lendrum; Warren McLean, Bruce Robertson, Richard Palmer; Graham Taylor, Ean Mcßobbie; Mike Littlewood; Alan Dawson; Peter Clotworthy, John Spiers, Joe Rawiri, Hank Habraken; John Hughes, Andy Dalton, Rod Ketels.

Australia.-— Laurie Monaghan; Brendan Moon, Bill McKid, Paddy Batch; Martin Knight. Ken Wright; John Hipwell; Rob Onus; Greg Cornelsen, Peter McLean, Keith Besomo, Gary Pearse (captain); Chris Handy, Bill Ross, John Meadows.