Lions half-back to play in Australia

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 18

Lions half-back to play in Australia

NZPA London The Irish and British Lions half-back, Colin Patterson, plans to continue his rugby career in Australia once he has recovered from the knee injury which forced him out of the Lions' tour of South Africa.

Pattersons wife, Gail, said that he had received offers from three different clubs in Brisbane and that they had a definite intention to migrate. “Our plans are a bit up in the air now because of his injury,” she said, “and I haven’t had a chance to speak to Colin, but I think we’ll still be going.” They had planned to leave Northern Ireland on the Monday after the Lions’ return from South Africa but that will now depend on medical advice. Patterson tore knee ligaments in the match against Griqua-

land West last week and under- - went surgery in a Johannesburg • hospital. “He obviously can’t play for a • while," said Mrs Patterson, "but - we don’t yet know if he can ■ travel, apart from returning home with the Lions." Patterson had obtained work as a solicitor in Brisbane and he planned to “look around” before deciding which of rhe three clubs to join. Mrs Patterson did not name the clubs. Patterson, aged 25. made his international debut against the - “Grand Slam” All Blacks in 1978 and created an Irish record by scoring five tries in his first seven tests. Two of them were in Australia — one in each test against the Wallabies last year. If he goes through with his emigration plans, ne will be eligible to play for the Wallabies.