Burton relishes battle for Force fly-half starting spot

[wholetruth]

Nick Taylor
December 9, 2015, 7:52 am

Young Western Force fly-half Luke Burton faces a challenge in the 2016 Super Rugby season.

The local product will be fighting two new signings for a regular spot — former Springbok Peter Grant, who has more than 100 Super Rugby caps, and Jono Lance, who boasts a wealth of experience at the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.

Burton, 21, came through the Force academy to play for Australia in the 2013 and 2014 Junior World Cups and made his Force debut last year.

But effectively being the third-choice playmaker going into next season does not concern the former Hale School student.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...or-force-spot/

[hertryk]

Good Luck to the young man..he tackled way above his weight last season.. deserves a chance

[kipper_mckinnon]

Good Luck to the young man..he tackled way above his weight last season.. deserves a chance

I'm a big fan of Burton but cant see him starting in front of Grant (at 10) - why chase Grant if he's not going to start.
Also cant see him starting in front of Godwin or Taps.
Guess he will come off the bench for the first few games.

I really admire him as a player, but he always looks just a little too small, especially when playing against the likes of Nonu

[GIGS20]

why chase Grant if he's not going to start.

As a playing "development coach for a promising youngster? I'm also convinced that Grant will start every game for which hes fit next year, but i think Burton will see plenty of minutes at the close of games, this should progressively increase over the 2 years of Grant's contract until Burton is the first choice and Grant is the backup. Anything other than that makes the decision not to throw the bank at Jooste a folly.

Also cant see him starting in front of Godwin or Taps.
Guess he will come off the bench for the first few games.

As it should be... Burton has demonstrated enough versatility and ticker to hold down either 10 or 12 in a pinch and Kyle can (not necessarily SHOULD, but CAN) cover 13, making Burto a good bench option for "fix everything in the middle of the park"

I really admire him as a player, but he always looks just a little too small, especially when playing against the likes of Nonu

Everybody looks small when compared against Nonu, even though he started the resurgence of the big inside back, that doesn't mean there's no place for little blokes, Giteau proved that it's possible for a smaller man to be very successful in the inside channels, if he were a little younger, he might have had what it takes to stop Nonu.

[kipper_mckinnon]

GIGS - so where do you see Jono Lance playing?
I didn't watch any of the NRC last season but I believe he was a very good number 10 and didn't he score the most points in the comp?

I don't see him ahead of Godwin or Taps and cant see him taking 15 from DHP.
Another sub or is he fast enough to play as a winger with a roving mandate?

[MI5_Dog]

Lance was player of the season for the NRC.
and the article states that Burton is third choice 10
but there will be injuries (most of the blokes are already the walking wounded) and it's good to be in the position of having 3 good 10s rather than 1 crap one.

[kipper_mckinnon]

Lance was player of the season for the NRC.
and the article states that Burton is third choice 10
but there will be injuries (most of the blokes are already the walking wounded) and it's good to be in the position of having 3 good 10s rather than 1 crap one.

so, in other words - bench too?

[Sheikh]

I see Lance playing 14/15 (depends if DHP holds onto 15 or we get a speedster on the wing) and moving into 10 as an emergency, or even just to mix play up during the match. It means you don't need both a 9 and 10 on the bench, with one sub for 11-15, or if we go for a 6-2 bench (which Foley likes) Lance gives more versatility. Plus, he and Grant can fight for kicking duties.

Given our track record with marquees, having injury cover is good!

[GIGS20]

GIGS - so where do you see Jono Lance playing?

if I were coach it'd be bench and injury cover. He's a lot more experienced and versatile than Burto, but also a lot older.

The age thing is why I place burton in front of him, we need to develop a flyhalf who can build some momentum in the team over several years, neither Grant nor Lance are young enough to do that.

If Lance starts on the bench as a utility back this year I wouldn't whinge too much, but having burton there without providing a development pathway for him is simply a waste of a contract. They either need to believe in their decision or cut him loose and find their future flyhalf elsewhere.

[The InnFORCEr]

Just on the size side, Kyle has been working 'ard looking massive, Burton should be the same in a year so,, plenty of competition for all spots and worthy cover all round

[GIGS20]

I hope Kyle hasn't been bulking too much, he was plenty effective at 12 with speed and agility. As long as the size doesn't compromise that

[choice]

Small and brave, reminds me of Giteau and Burton is not Giteau. Bench player at best.

[jono]

*yawn*

Don't give a shit who plays where, as long as it's a winning combination

[choice]

Well you should, combinations are as important as individual skills.

[Sheikh]

I *think* that what Jono meant