THE DEFECTION OF COOKE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 293, 2 March 1928, Page 10

THE DEFECTION OF COOKE

p.YKTLY because it is extremely doubtful if New Zealand will 1 ever again produce a Rugby genius of his type, the defection of A. E. Cooke from the team for South Africa is a matter for grave regret. The slender ex-Aucklander was gifted with talents which raised him, in his way, head and shoulders above the other footballers of his time. None had the same rapid thrust m attack, nor the same gallant steadiness in defence. Cooke’s astonishing speed, his quick eye for an opening, his stabkicking through a line of baffled opponents, were sufficiently rare under any circumstances. But they became qualities almost fabulous when allied with his marvellous capacity for swooping to the aid of a harried defence, snatching the ball from the toes of hunting forwards, and taking man after man round Ihe ankles with a resolute consistency rare and remarkable in a player so slight of frame. There are compensations in everything, and the compensation lor ( ’ook’s defection is that another man nearly as good, S. R. < arleton, is available. There were, in point of fact, more than one. The Aucklander, A. Berridge, could just as competentlv have filled the bill. However, it was Carleton’s luck, and Berth! ye s misfortune. It is rare to find Fortune in such coquettish mood. She dallied the prize before Carleton’s eyes during the trials last October, when he played grand football. Then she withheld it, and now she has given it into his hands. With Carleton going to Africa, there are 7 Canterbury men in the team. Carleton is the third international to spring from the wonderful Christchurch Boys’ High School team of a few years back. Meanwhile Cooke, the father, since Christmas, of a bouncing boy, will be busy in the Masterton mercery business in which he lias a half share. He is now 26 years old, and, unless he retains bis form until the British team’s visit in 1930, his defection from the 1928 All Blacks means that his days of helping New Zealand in epic struggles are over, and that a bright chapter in New Zealand international Rugby has been closed. This event is marked by only one regrettable feature. Cooke’s policy of vacillation does not set a good example to lesser lights in the Rugby world. It was only at the last minute, after a period of doubt, that he said in October that he would be able to go to South Africa. Early in January doubts were raised, but he allayed them in a statement to the Wairarapa Press. Now comes the final announcement, which is said to have annoyed the New Zealand Rugby Union. No wonder!

—J.G.M.