OLD HANDS ARE POPULAR WITH WAIRARAPA SELECTOR

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 983, 28 May 1930, Page 15

OLD HANDS ARE POPULAR WITH WAIRARAPA SELECTOR

MILL’S RETURN TO FORM Special to THE SUE MASTEKTON, Monday. (Quentin Donald, new to the job of sole selector, was hailed last month as tlie one man who would put the Wairarapa representative team through a process of reconstruction which would be short, prompt and unfortunately painful for past heroes of the green jersey. Certain youths were pointed out as having revealed and justified themselves br their individual contributions to their club’s welfare. But Quentin has plumped for the old guard; worse in reshuffling to cover the loss of the two All Black five-eighths, Cooke and CuVidy, he has moved in unsuitable men for the position, and he is now regarded as a fairy godfather to those who wish to wind up their football career by playing against the BnUt R. Cundy. the powerful 15-stone atfc-

let© who for five years has represented Wairarapa as first five-eighth, was married last spring, and has notified the selector that he is out of th© field for good. Cundy toured Australia last year with the All Blacks. He was educated at Nelson College, and is also a fin© cricketer. Against a forward rush he would at times attempt to “field” the ball instead of diving for it, and whether Cundy really intended to crayfish out of his obligations or not has always been a debatable point with the fans. When in possession he was most difficult to stop, and his fend made light of Jack Steel when Cundy was in scoring mood in the Canterbury-Waira rapa match last year. Cundy as a place kick is remarkable for distance and accuracy. “Tommy” Corkhill. who has been selected to fill Cundy’s place, gained his All Black cap with the team which toured New South Wales in 1925. Corkhill must be regarded as a Jellico© rather than a Beattie. His defence is sound and ready, and his stab punting accurate, but he cannot penetrate against first-class backs. Has a good pair of hands and shirks nothing, but is not a match winner.

O. Stringfellow, who fills the vacancy at second five-eighths, is very fust, and in club football has moro than once pulled Cooke down from behind—no mean feat when the little fellow is in full flight. lie made a name for himself as fullback with the team which toured Australia last year In defence he is gameness itself—he spent a fortnight on the insurance list last year for attempting to stop the charging “Bull” Irvine with a headlong tackle —and his line-kick-ing is excellent. But he cannot take a pass, although he can make certain of securing a high punt in front of approaching forwards. The radio announcer has made Wairarapa zealots familiar with the phrase “Stringfellow missed another pass.” If there is much attacking to do in the British match Stringfellow will probably prove a pathetic mixture of enthusiasm and incapacity in the five-eighths position. Yet he has many good qualities as a wing-threequarter, and is an excellent fullback. JIM DONALD LEADS Jim Donald, a hero of yesteryear, will captain the team. Jim is an able captain, but uses his head to save his legs, and the stand enjoys telling him so. If arrangements can be completed with the British for a 10 minutes’ halt every quarter-hour Jim may score any number of tries. But if the British won’t compromise the situation may take charge of itself—may bolt, in fact. Donald has the sunny outlook natural to a happily married man with a valuable stud flock, but for strenuous football should take more exercise than riding round the sheep. While his wind lasts is as clever as Porter. The return to form of Jimmie Mill has rivalled as a topic this week the departure of Cooke. Last Saturday week in a hard-fought club, game he was outstanding, leading his side to victory in an inspiring manner. It seems that a test of a great player is that the better the class of football the more he shines. In th© representative game, Wairarapa v. Bush Districts, last Wednesday, Mill played a great game, and was easily the best back on the field. Tie opened the scoring by picking up in mid-field and fooling the opposition badly to cross for a great try beneath the posts. Again he secured in his own twenty-five, jazzed right through the Bush team, and when withih striking distance transferred to his winger for an easy try. The third score camo in similar fashion, Mill’s dash for 10 or 15 yards downfield sets backs and forwards going in a hammering attack. He is now a certainty for a try out with the Possibles on June 11. Match temperament is a wonderful possession where the physical attributes are also present. Wairarapa claims that Cooke is still the world’s best, and his first match against the tourists will be followed with intense interest in this district. In his farewell club game, he pleased the stand with three gpod tries, one of them his typical dash through midfield when the outlook seemed grave. One was a long dribble, to be finally secured with an extra sprint at the right moment, and the third was from combined play in which he handled twice. Cooke takes with him the good’ wishes, not only of his club mates, but of the whole district. It may be that Wairarapa will not see the Ranfurly Shield for a year or two —the shield has found Cooke a powerful magnet. It will only be in keeping with his wonderful football history that Wellington should now become possessed of the bauble. Venit. Videt, Vicit.

Coupled with the individual sparkle always to be seen in Cooke’s play is his sixth sense in combined play and his unselfishness in handing on to any of his team he can run into a scoring position. If Cooke decides to jazz, “Gliding Gladys” has nothing on him, and the hem of his garment takes some touching. Brilliant 40-yard line-kicking and potted goals with either foot make him a deciding factor in both attack and defence. His wonderful bursts of speed make him a past-master at tackling without losing his own footing. Long may he reign.