No guarantees, Burgess amps up pre-tour training
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday October 1, 2009
WITH four halfbacks vying for a possible three berths on the Wallabies' grand slam tour, Luke Burgess has promised to "rip in" at simulated match sessions during next week's training camp in a bid to make sure he has a seat on the plane.With the proposed Probables versus Possibles clash scrapped, coach Robbie Deans will instead hold periods of opposed play under a referee's control in the camp that starts on Monday.Asked about the prospect, Burgess yesterday said: "I'll rip in, don't worry about that." He also realises such sessions will offer nowhere to hide, saying: "You just get the opportunity to try and put everything together and assess more accurately how you are playing. You get a better indication of how your form is."The camp will offer Burgess, fellow squad members and Deans the cold, hard truth. And that is what Deans is looking for after warning that nobody in the 43-man train-on squad was picked to make up the numbers.However, despite competition for a place on the tour, Burgess, 26, will not go to the four-day camp at Coogee mulling over who of the three other halfbacks loom as the biggest dangers.Competing with the Waratahs No.9 for a position are Queensland duo Will Genia, 21, and Richard Kingi, 20, and Brumbies 26-year-old Josh Valentine.On paper, Burgess is ranked second. While he started the year as the first-choice halfback, he lost that to Genia for the the Test against the Springboks in Brisbane.Genia held on to the No.9 jersey for the Wallabies' last game against the All Blacks in Wellington and has done nothing wrong in his two Tests to warrant losing that spot. But he will be under pressure to cement his place as the incumbent next week in the spells of matchplay planned for the camp.However, Burgess will also face pressure from Valentine €“ who returned to the Wallabies this year for eight minutes against France €“ and Kingi, who has impressed with the Australian Sevens. It is not that Burgess refuses to recognise their candidacy but if he spends time worrying about what they will produce, he believes he won't produce his best."I don't think you can worry too much about everyone else. That's when you fall into a trap and potentially lose your form," he said. "Every time you go on the training paddock you are under scrutiny and under pressure. That's the best way to think about it €“ [it's] part of the natural situation you are in, just deal with it."Burgess realises the outcome of this year's Tri Nations series where Australia placed last with one win was way below expectations of his own game and the entire Wallabies squad. But he refuses to dwell on the glut of misery that has enveloped the Wallabies from outside the squad. Instead, he will only look ahead and for the squad that is to the grand slam tour.The tour kicks off with a fourth Bledisloe Cup Test in Tokyo, before Tests against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and also includes several midweek matches. Asked if the tour was the start with a clean slate to a new era for the Wallabies or a chance to wipe the slate clean after a season soiled by too many defeats, Burgess said: "Every day is a beginning of a new era, every time you wake up! Why look back?"But he is certainly not oblivious to what emulating the Wallabies' victorious 1984 grand slam tour would mean to a wounded and battered 2009 team. "It's a great test because all the matches are so hot, so intense, and so highly competitive," Burgess said. "It hasn't been the best year in terms of good matches and good wins. It would be a good opportunity to get some pride in ourselves back."WALLABIES HALFBACKS WILL GENIABorn: January 17, 1988Height: 182cmWeight: 85kgSuper 14 side: RedsTests: 6 (debut 2009 v NZ)Comment: Replaced Luke Burgess as the starting Test hooker for Tri Nations Test against the Springboks in Brisbane. Kept the spot for the final game against New Zealand in Wellington.Burgess on Genia: "Will is strong and talented. He has great vision and pass."RICHARD KINGIBorn: March 17, 1989 (New Zealand)Height: 176cmWeight: 77.5kgSuper 14 side: NSWTests: 0Comment: One of 10 Wallabies squad rookies. Arrived on rep scene this year with the national sevens team and under-21 side before his Super 14 debut off the bench against the Crusaders.Burgess on Kingi: "He has a great step. He is fit. His pass is good as well.JOSH VALENTINEBorn: February 22, 1983Height: 176cmWeight: 78kgSuper 14 side: BrumbiesTests: 5 (debut 2004 v England)Comment: Returned to Wallabies in domestic Test season. Got eight minutes off the bench against France. Missed out on Tri Nations, but with halfback slot open keen to reclaim berth.Burgess on Valentine: "He has great vision and a good pass obviously."LUKE BURGESSBorn: August 20, 1983Height: 179cmWeight: 89kgSuper 14 side: WaratahsTests: 19 (debut 2008 v Ireland)Comment: Began the year as the starting Wallabies halfback, but dropped to bench for last two Tri Nations games against Springboks and All Blacks. Eyes set on reclaiming the No.9 jersey.Burgess on Burgess: "I'm just loving being a part of it all."
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
