Lewis to decide on Wigan contract

Press, 10 January 1987, Page 22

Lewis to decide on Wigan contract

NZPA Brisbane The Australian rugby league captain, Wally Lewis, will make a final decision on returning to England to fulfill a playing contract with Wigan after visiting a Brisbane specialist next week. “If the specialist gives me the go ahead, I’ll be on the next available plane to England,” Lewis said yesterday. Lewis damaged his left

shoulder in the first rugby league test against Great Britain at Old Trafford on October 25 but the extent of the injury was not disclosed until he arrived back in Australia. His 11-week contract with Wigan, signed at Heathrow Airport while Lewis was in transit from France to Australia, was immediately put in jeopardy. Australian and Queensland

Rugby League officials said the injury would not allow Lewis to return to England. But Lewis, keen to return not only for the monetary reward but for the opportunity to play under the Wigan coach, Graham Lowe, said if the injury healed in sufficient time, he would fulfill at least part of the contract “I’ve been to training a couple of nights and while I still haven’t got full range of

movement with the shoulder, it has improved with rest and physiotherapy,” Lewjs said. “I’m very keen to go. “The money on offer is too good to turn down if there is a chance I can go, and the prospects of playing under Lowie (Graham Lowe) is just as great an incentive.” Lewis said Wynnum-Manly had given him permission to return if the specialist gave him the all clear.