Ashworth passes fitness test

Press, 8 September 1982, Page 48

Ashworth passes fitness test

John Ashworth is booked on an early-morning flight today to assemble with the other All Blacks in Auckland for the third test against the Wallabies on Saturday. But last evening Ashworth was still in two minds about whether he would be catching the aircraft. The leg injury Ashworth suffered while playing for Canterbury against Manawatu fast Saturday has improved considerably in the last two days, and yesterday he passed a medical test requested by the national, selectors. But Ashworth still has his doubts.-

“The swelling has all disappeared and I have no trouble running." said Ashworth last evening. “But I don’t know what’s going to happen when I have to push hard in a scrum or change direction sharply." The medical clearance passes him as fit to go to Auckland and prepare for

the test, but Ashworth is fearful of going to Auckland and finding that he is not fit enough to play. “I don't want to get up there, find the leg is not right and have to come home again. There is no use playing unless I am 100 per cent fit; it would be letting the rest of the team down." said Ashworth. His flight this morning leaves at 8.30 a.m. and it will be about the time he gets up to do the usual 5.30 a.m. chores on his Sefton farm that he will decide whether to go or stay. Meanwhile, the All Black lock. Gary Whetton has re 7 covered from the deep bruising to his lower right leg, an injury which kept him out of the Auckland Waikato game on Saturday. Whetton was at full pace during the Auckland team's training last evening and said later that the leg was feeling good.