In modern rugby that has become almost a humdrum achievement, particularly in the modern age of super kickers like Grant Fox, Robbie Deans and Andrew Mehrtens who have reguarly topped 300 a year. But in the years of sparse provincial programmes, even into the 1970s, it was a rare feat.

Cundy played fullback, wing or in the five eighths where he was well suited with his potent boot plus a sturdy build of 1.75m and around 80kg.

Cundy was an All Black on the 1929 tour of Australia where he played in six matches, mainly as a five eighths and in the second test he gained his one and only cap when he came on as a midfield replacement for the injured Charlie Oliver.

His versatility was demonstrated on that tour, for his All Black debut was a wing forward against New South Wales.

But the test series against the Wallabies in 1929 was lost 3-0 and Cundy was one of several players never chosen for the All Blacks again.

His century of points in 1927 was the high point of his career. In one Ranfurly Shield that year against Bush he scored 24 points, which for many years was a shield and New Zealand first class record.

Between 1921 and 1929 Cundy played 63 matches for Wairarapa and that covered some memorable fixtures in shield rugby. He was in the Wairarapa side which won the shield from Hawke’s Bay in 1927 kicking four penalties in the 15-11 win. He then played in the celebrated “Battle of Solway” later in the season.

Cundy appeared in the Wairarapa side which won the shield for a second time, against Canterbury in 1929. In 14 shield games in all he scored 89 points.

Profile by Lindsay Knight
for the New Zealand Rugby Museum.

ALL BLACK GAMES THAT CUNDY PLAYED

(+) = substitute; (-) = replaced

1929

POINTS SCORED FOR THE ALL BLACKS

TEST RECORD BY NATION