Injury lingers for Campese

Press, 2 September 1986, Page 42

Injury lingers for Campese

NZPA staff correspondent Steve McMorran The fitness of the Wallaby test full-back, David Campese, remained ■ a major concern for the touring team yesterday as hope faded that he will play against Thames Valley today. Campese was able to train only lightly with his team-mates at Pukekuhe yesterday morning and is now unlikely to take part in the final provincial lead-up to the third test against New Zealand. The coach, Alan Jones, will delay a decision on Campese’s fitness for as long as possible, but he admitted the prognosis was not good.

“I would say there is not much chance of him playing,” he said. "I’m not too sure. I’ll have to assess it and I won’t be making a decision virtually till we warm up tomorrow.” Campese is suffering from a hamstring injury incurred in the tourists’ match against Southland a week ago. Mr Jones is desperate

to have him play today to compensate for an injuryenforced lack of match play on tour. Campese did not play for 10 days be-; fore the first test at Wellington, did not play at all between the first and second tests and played for only 59 minutes at Southland before his injury. He will play at centre today, if fit, but will not be risked if the injury lingers. Australia: Glen Ella, lan Williams, David Campese, Peter Grigg, Michael Cook, Stephen James, Brian Smith, Jim Mclnerney, Bill Culcraft (captain), Damien Frawley, Rod McCall, Julian Gardner, Greg Burrow, Mark Mcßain, Mick Murray. Thames Valley: Kevin Handley, Wayne Warlow, Richard Taylor, Steven Worth, Chris Costello, David East, Jason Hazelwood, Irvine Campbell, Colin Smith, John Schuler, Pene Reuben, Steven Barnett, Ricki Turner, Des Silvester, Ray Silvester (captain).

Reserves: Bucks, Tuk Sheehan, Mike Barlow. Shane Leach. Forwards, Craig Stockley, Paul Silvester, Kevin Wrothall. 1