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Oh YES!!! What a top swap, Holmes for Burgess, you are a genius Link!!!
Waratahs sign halfback from Brumbies
Monday, May 14, 2007
Burgess joins the Waratahs on a two-year deal ahead of the start of the 2008 Super 14 season.
"Luke is a very talented player who is looking for an opportunity," Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said.
"He's shown the benefits of four years in a professional set up and the football he has played over that time has been impressive, to the point where he won selection in the 2006 Wallaby train-on squad.
"There's also the added benefit of getting an athlete that is ready to hit the ground running with very little up-skilling and physical preparation required.
"He gives us great depth in a key position and is held in very high regard within rugby circles."
Burgess's signing covers the defection of Josh Holmes from the Waratahs to Brumbies.
But the 23-year-old certainly won't be a walk-up start at the Waratahs and will have to beat Josh Valentine and Brett Sheehan for the No.9 jersey.
Born in Newcastle and educated at Sydney's St Joseph's College in Sydney, Burgess was lured to Canberra in 2004.
His game time in Canberra was limited to two Super 14 matches due to the presence of Wallabies captain George Gregan.
He made his debut off the bench against the Hurricanes in 2005 and when not playing Super 14 he has been a standout in the Shute Shield for Eastern Suburbs.
Burgess featured strongly in the race for the 2006 Ken Catchpole Medal as the best and fairest player in the Sydney club competition before a foot injury sidelined him mid-season.
The injury also robbed him of the opportunity to play for Australia A in their 2006 series against Fiji.
AAP