WITHOUT WIZARD COOKE

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 3

WITHOUT WIZARD COOKE

THE SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY TOUR [Special to ihb ’Stab.'] CHRISTCHURCH, February 27. “The All Macks will have the greatest lour of their lives when they go to South Africa. They will have a wonderful time, and will 'meet some great footballers. At the same time, .1 think they will be glad when they join tho Ceramic on their way home.” Thus spoke Mr K. Murison, a, New Zealander who has spent some time in Africa, when asked by a ‘Star’ reporter what ho thought of tho All Black tour of South Africa. “The chief difficulty with our fellows,” said Mr Murison, “will be getting acclimatised, because they will jump from sea level up to 5,000 ft and down again with an irregularity which is bound to affect some of tho boys. I should say that the matches against northern provinces like the Transvaal and Orange Free State will bo very trying. In the north, especially at Johannesburg, the team will be playing at an unusual altitude. Players like young Lindsay should not find it hard to kick goals 80yds away from the uprights. though it would bo an impossible feat in Now Zealand.

“If Cooko does not go,' the South Africans will walk on to tho field with 50 per cent, of added confidence. When I left for New' Zealand tho Afrikanders were really nervous. The Johannesburg ‘Star’ was the first paper to announce tho team, with weights and ages, and possibilities of success, and they wore thoroughly impressed. Cooke was described as the ‘ Cinquevalli of New Zealand Rugby.’ They know' bis value over there, and I can tell you they will be tho happiest people in the world when they know Cooko is not going.”