Burke feels force of destiny in Scotland debut
The 25-year-old Saracens fly-half was in Gregor Townsend's squad for this year's Six Nations, but it was not until Friday's 29-14 summer tour defeat by Fiji that he earned his first cap.
Advertisement
It could be quickly followed by a second against Samoa at Eden Park in the land of his birth on Friday and, not surprisingly, he has "a fair few people" chasing him for tickets.
"I've had a few messages from people I haven't heard from for a while, but I'll hopefully get a good contingent of support there and it'll be cool," Burke said.
"It is a weird one. Obviously I was in for the Six Nations but didn't get a crack, so it is almost like this was the way it was meant to be when I get my first opportunity so my family could actually be here."
Darcy Graham was sent off after a second yellow card while Ewan Ashman was also sin-binned in Suva and Burke thinks the Scots can perform better against Samoa if they improve their discipline.
Advertisement
"I think in parts of that Fiji game we showed how good we are as a team when we get it right, but we got our discipline wrong and ended up making a lot more tackles than we needed to," he said.
Burke expects "a similar challenge to Fiji" but hopes to spend less time on defence against Samoa.
"I think they are going to be a little more structured than Fiji was - Fiji was quite loose and the looser the game got, the better they got," he suggested.
"I've got a feeling Samoa are going to kick a little bit more. We know how important this game is and we are pretty focused on getting it right."
Advertisement
Burke ended the game playing at full-back after Adam Hastings' introduction.
"I wasn't expecting that, but I played a little bit of full-back when I was still in New Zealand at Crusaders, so I felt reasonably comfortable there and I enjoyed playing with Adam as well," he added.
"I thought it was good when he came on and we probably got our most attacking in that last 10 minutes with ball in hand."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lions coach Andy Farrell isn't buying into the hype of a series sweep against Australia
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — The growing hype about a British and Irish Lions series sweep over Australia isn't something Andy Farrell is buying into. The Lions head coach only had to walk the streets of Brisbane and have a chance encounter with Australia and Queensland Origin rugby league legend Gorden Tallis in the days leading up to Saturday's first test to be reminded of what to expect. Tallis 'said everyone used to talk about Queensland being underdogs. He said 'We never, ever saw it that way.' Australia will be exactly the same,' said Farrell, who was captain of the British rugby league team before switching to rugby union. The Lions tour every four years to the southern hemisphere but the Wallabies only face them every 12, usually a once-in-a-career opportunity. 'If you're in a position where it comes down to this every 12 years and you get to pull the shirt on for the Wallabies and the privilege that goes with that — they'll be fighting tooth and nail," Farrell said. "I'm sure they'll want to prove a point." He wanted to embrace being heavy favorites for the series, but said there's 'no overconfidence, at all.' "It's having an inner confidence within our group that we are going to execute the plan when it matters.' Farrell was a defense coach at Ireland before taking over from Joe Schmidt as head coach there in 2020. Schmidt, a New Zealander, is now head coach of an Australia squad that is rebuilding after its worst-ever Rugby World Cup performance in 2023. They're well acquainted. 'You don't go into a series trying not to win it 3-nil — it's a natural target for them,' Schmidt said of those predictions of a Lions sweep. 'But I know Andy Farrell well enough to know he won't be talking about 3-nil. They'll be focused on this test alone, not Melbourne or Sydney I don't think.' While the Lions are unbeaten in five tour games so far in Australia, the Wallabies are coming off a scratchy 21-18 comeback win over Fiji as their only match preparation. They've also got a new halves combination and will be missing some size and power in the forward pack. 'Obviously the skill execution wasn't great against Fiji. We have to be a lot more cohesive and accurate,' Schmidt said. 'We've had one test match. We've got 15 this year.' 'We thought we'd ease our way into the year!' he added, joking about the monumental task ahead for his Wallabies. 'That's the magnitude of it, really.' Key confrontations The halves combinations will be critical to the outcome. The Lions have the advantage in the experienced and assured Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell directing play and working with Jamison Gibson-Park, one of eight Irishmen in the XV. Schmidt has entrusted the playmaking duties to 22-year-old Tom Lynagh, the son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh. The quietly confident Lynagh is starting a test for the first time and working with Jake Gordon. The Lions will be expecting scrum dominance, and for a hard edge will be relying on a front row featuring Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong and hooker Dan Sheehan and England prop Ellis Genge. For the Wallabies, 144-test veteran James Slipper is starting in his second series against the Lions and looking for revenge. He'll be packing down with Allan Ala'alatoa, who has 81 caps, and young hooker Matt Faessler. For the first time since more than a century, there are no Welshmen in the Lions test squad. Recent series Brisbane is a city where the Lions have had success. In 1989, when Michael Lynagh was Australia's playmaker, the Wallabies won the opening match in Sydney 30-12 before the Lions rallied to take a brutal second test 19-12 in Brisbane, dubbed the 'Battle of Ballymore.' The Lions won the decider, back in Sydney, which was famous for an errant pass by Australian winger David Campese that gifted a simple try and lead to the visitors. The 2001 series opener in Brisbane felt more like a home game for the Lions, with the Gabba stadium filled with fans wearing red. That helped propel the Lions to a win over the 1999 World Cup champions. But the Australians rallied to win in Melbourne and Sydney to clinch a historic series win. Twelve years ago, on the last tour to Australia, the Lions again won in Brisbane — 23-21 — when Wallabies' goalkicker Kurtley Beale slipped and missed a last-minute penalty attempt. The Wallabies won the second test in Melbourne, when Leigh Halfpenny missed a late shot at goal that would have clinched the series for the Lions. The Lions dominated in Sydney to clinch the series. Tour so far The Lions are perfect in Australia since a 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warmup in Dublin. They had wins over Super Rugby franchises Western Force,Queensland Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies — before last Saturday's 48-0 demolition of an AUNZ invitational XV. ___ AP rugby: John Pye, The Associated Press
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Lions coach Andy Farrell isn't buying into the hype of a series sweep against Australia
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — The growing hype about a British and Irish Lions series sweep over Australia isn't something Andy Farrell is buying into. The Lions head coach only had to walk the streets of Brisbane and have a chance encounter with Australia and Queensland Origin rugby league legend Gorden Tallis in the days leading up to Saturday's first test to be reminded of what to expect. Tallis 'said everyone used to talk about Queensland being underdogs. He said 'We never, ever saw it that way.' Australia will be exactly the same,' said Farrell, who was captain of the British rugby league team before switching to rugby union. The Lions tour every four years to the southern hemisphere but the Wallabies only face them every 12, usually a once-in-a-career opportunity. 'If you're in a position where it comes down to this every 12 years and you get to pull the shirt on for the Wallabies and the privilege that goes with that — they'll be fighting tooth and nail,' Farrell said. 'I'm sure they'll want to prove a point.' He wanted to embrace being heavy favorites for the series, but said there's 'no overconfidence, at all.' 'It's having an inner confidence within our group that we are going to execute the plan when it matters.' Farrell was a defense coach at Ireland before taking over from Joe Schmidt as head coach there in 2020. Schmidt, a New Zealander, is now head coach of an Australia squad that is rebuilding after its worst-ever Rugby World Cup performance in 2023. They're well acquainted. 'You don't go into a series trying not to win it 3-nil — it's a natural target for them,' Schmidt said of those predictions of a Lions sweep. 'But I know Andy Farrell well enough to know he won't be talking about 3-nil. They'll be focused on this test alone, not Melbourne or Sydney I don't think.' While the Lions are unbeaten in five tour games so far in Australia, the Wallabies are coming off a scratchy 21-18 comeback win over Fiji as their only match preparation. They've also got a new halves combination and will be missing some size and power in the forward pack. 'Obviously the skill execution wasn't great against Fiji. We have to be a lot more cohesive and accurate,' Schmidt said. 'We've had one test match. We've got 15 this year.' 'We thought we'd ease our way into the year!' he added, joking about the monumental task ahead for his Wallabies. 'That's the magnitude of it, really.' Key confrontations The halves combinations will be critical to the outcome. The Lions have the advantage in the experienced and assured Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell directing play and working with Jamison Gibson-Park, one of eight Irishmen in the XV. Schmidt has entrusted the playmaking duties to 22-year-old Tom Lynagh, the son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh. The quietly confident Lynagh is starting a test for the first time and working with Jake Gordon. The Lions will be expecting scrum dominance, and for a hard edge will be relying on a front row featuring Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong and hooker Dan Sheehan and England prop Ellis Genge. For the Wallabies, 144-test veteran James Slipper is starting in his second series against the Lions and looking for revenge. He'll be packing down with Allan Ala'alatoa, who has 81 caps, and young hooker Matt Faessler. For the first time since more than a century, there are no Welshmen in the Lions test squad. Recent seriesBrisbane is a city where the Lions have had success. In 1989, when Michael Lynagh was Australia's playmaker, the Wallabies won the opening match in Sydney 30-12 before the Lions rallied to take a brutal second test 19-12 in Brisbane, dubbed the 'Battle of Ballymore.' The Lions won the decider, back in Sydney, which was famous for an errant pass by Australian winger David Campese that gifted a simple try and lead to the visitors. The 2001 series opener in Brisbane felt more like a home game for the Lions, with the Gabba stadium filled with fans wearing red. That helped propel the Lions to a win over the 1999 World Cup champions. But the Australians rallied to win in Melbourne and Sydney to clinch a historic series win. Twelve years ago, on the last tour to Australia, the Lions again won in Brisbane — 23-21 — when Wallabies' goalkicker Kurtley Beale slipped and missed a last-minute penalty attempt. The Wallabies won the second test in Melbourne, when Leigh Halfpenny missed a late shot at goal that would have clinched the series for the Lions. The Lions dominated in Sydney to clinch the series. Tour so far The Lions are perfect in Australia since a 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warmup in Dublin. They had wins over Super Rugby franchises Western Force,Queensland Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies — before last Saturday's 48-0 demolition of an AUNZ invitational XV. ___ AP rugby:
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'He's that good': Major coup as Brisbane Broncos sign 'next Benji Marshall'
The Brisbane Broncos have reportedly signed talented youngster Calvin Harris-Tavita from under the noses of NRL rivals the New Zealand Warriors - and rugby union. The younger brother of Warriors five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita, Calvin has been touted as the "next Benji Marshall" due to his side-step and ability to carve up opposition defences. The 17-year-old is still based in Auckland and has played both league and union. He attends the prestigious Kings' College and was recently promoted to the school's first XV in rugby. But he's just as good at league and was recently named in the team of the tournament at the Under-17s ANZRL competition. News Corp is reporting that Brisbane have signed the younger Harris-Tavita brother and given him a spot in their academy. And photos on the 17-year-old's Instagram account show him training in Broncos gear last month. Huge raps on 'next Benji Marshall' Speaking back in 2023, the chairman of New Zealand Maori rugby league spoke glowingly of what kind of career Harris-Tavita will have. One of the most respected voices in Kiwi rugby league, John Devonshire likened Harris-Tavita to a young Marshall - who burst onto the scene as a teenager with an incredible step and turn of speed. 'He is the next Benji Marshall to be honest,' Devonshire told . 'He is that good. I haven't seen someone as exciting as he is for many, many years. Especially as a seven (halfback).' Devonshire was a talent scout for the Warriors in the 1990s, and made a staggering call on how good Harris-Tavita can be. When asked how he rates the youngster's side-step compared to Benji's, he said: 'Better. And not being disrespectful to Benji, but he tackles better too.' Tellingly, Devonshire predicted the Warriors would have a fight on their hands to sign Harris-Tavita. But he thought it would be rugby union - not another NRL club - who would poach him. 'The lure of the All Black jersey is always there," he said. "Over here the school system is about two out of 10 for rugby league. But the family will do what is right for him. He has still got his education and we have to think about that as well. But he should write his ticket now. There will be agents lining up for him.' Calvin Harris-Tavita eyeing NRL debut with Broncos Calvin's older brother Chanel is having a brilliant season for the Warriors, helping them sit fourth on the NRL ladder after 19 rounds. The five-eighth stepped up last week in the first game without halves partner Luke Metcalf, who is gone for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. RELATED: 'Real concern' for Panthers as Nathan Cleary floated for $3m exit Wayne Bennett 'ban' set to be upheld amid awful news about Latrell As for Calvin, he might not have to wait too long to get a taste of NRL level at the Broncos. Michael Maguire's team have Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt on their books for one more season in 2026, but they're both 35 and won't be around for too much longer. Five-eighth Ezra Mam is only 22, while 19-year-old Coby Black is being touted as the club's halfback of the future. But if Harris-Tavita impresses the right people while making his way through the ranks, he might have something to say about that.
