Luke Burton

Luke Burton (born 17 February 1994) is an Australian rugby union player who currently plays for the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Luke Burton, San Diego Legion 2020.
Luke Burton
Full nameLuke Burton
Date of birth (1994-02-17) 17 February 1994
Place of birthPerth, Western Australia
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight92 kg (14 st 7 lb; 203 lb)
SchoolHale School
Notable relative(s)Jesse Kriel Dan Kriel (Cousins)
Occupation(s)Professional Rugby Player
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-Half / Centre
Current team San Diego Legion
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2017 Force 25 (47)
2014−2017 Perth Spirit 21 (14)
2017-2019 Biarritz 42 (102)
2020 San Diego Legion 5 (37)
Correct as of 20 July 2016
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 - 2014 Australia Under-20 16 (45)
Correct as of 1 December 2014

He can play as either a fly-half or centre. He previously played for the Western Force in Super Rugby,[1][2][3] Biarritz Olympique in France, and represented the Australia Under-20 in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship and 2014 IRB Junior World Championship World Cups.[4]

Early life

Burton was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia and represented his state at various age-group levels during his school days.[5] His family immigrated to Australia from Cape Town, South Africa. Burton's family lineage sees both his cousins Jesse Kriel and Dan Kriel play professionally in South Africa and for the Springboks.

Playing career

Australia U20

In 2013, at 18 years old Burton was selected for Australia Under-20 where he represented his country at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship held in France. In this tournament he played every game at Inside Centre and was the first choice goal kicker. Scoring tries against both  New Zealand and  Fiji in the tournament. Burton recorded a total tally of 31 points for Australia.[6][7]

In 2014, Burton was selected the following year at the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship held in New Zealand. It was another successful tournament for Burton which saw him play every game at Inside centre and carry the goal kicking duties. Burton recorded a total of 51 points for the respective tournaments.[8]

Super Rugby

In 2012, in his first year out of High School, Burton was invited to train with the Western Force full-time. After a successful 2013 IRB Junior World Championship he received offers from Australian Super Rugby teams, Burton signed his first Professional Super Rugby contract with the Western Force.[9][10]

In May 2014, two months before Burtons second Junior World Cup, he made his Super Rugby Debut starting at Inside Centre for the Western Force against the Stormers in Newlands, Cape Town.[11] He started again the following week at No. 12 against the Lions at NIB Stadium before returning to the Junior Wallabies Camp in preparation for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship.

In 2015 at age 21, Burton had his breakout season. He entrenched himself as a regular starter and played in every Super Rugby game for the season and handed the goal kicking duties.[12][13] Burton played 25 games for the Western Force starting at both Flyhalf and Inside Centre.[14]

In 2017, Burton received offers from France and left the Western Force to pursue new challenges.

Western Force vs Hurricanes, 2015.

France

In May 2017, Burton signed and played for Biarritz Olympique under head coach Gonzalo Quesada which saw him adapt his game and use his attacking flair with northern hemisphere game management.[15][16] Burton played 42 games in two seasons 2017-18 and 2018–19 at flyhalf for Biarritz Olympique. He steered Biarritz Olympique to a Quarter Final finish verse Grenoble in May 2018.[17]

Biarritz Olympique Saison 2018–19.

Major League Rugby

In 2019, San Diego Legion signed Burton from Biarritz Olympique, one of many big signings for the club, such as All Black Ma’a Nonu, to boost their strength of winning the American shield.[18] San Diego Legion were having a stellar season before COVID-19 cancelled the competition.[19][20] Burton started every game at No. 10 and was the only San Diego Legion player to play every minute of every game. They were undefeated in their 5 games and dominated the competition with 21 tries, 161 points and 11 try assists for Burton.[21][22]

International

Burton was a part of the Australia Under-20 squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France and for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand.[7][4]

Playing Style

Burton is well known for possessing an X factor skillset and an attacking style of play.[23] Developing his game in France saw him adapt a calculated kicking game and composed game management. Burton is a very strong defender and a classy ball player.[24]

References
  1. "Luke Burton Force Player Profile". Western Force. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  2. "Force finalises 2014 playing roster". Rugby Western Australia. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  3. "Luke Burton itsrugby Player Statistics". itsrugby. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  4. "Luke Burton IRB JWC Player Profile". IRB.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  5. "Perth's Hale School fostering young rugby talent". www.abc.net.au. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  6. "New Zealand defeat Australia". ESPN. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  7. "Queensland's Curtis Browning to Captain Australian Under 20s at IRB Junior World Championship". Rugby Australia. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  8. "NZU20 TEAM BEAT AUSTRALIA IN CLOSE GAME". All Blacks.
  9. "Burton graduates at Western Force". The West Australian. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  10. "Luke Burton re-signs with Western Force". The Roar. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  11. "DHL Stormers vs Force 17 May 2014 Match Breakdown". SA Rugby. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  12. "Luke Burton re-signs with Force". ESPN. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  13. "Burton reaps rewards from devotion to Force cause". au.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  14. "LUKE BURTON Australia". ESPN. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  15. "Quesada to Take Control at Biarritz". 30 April 2017.
  16. "Quesada to take reins at Racing Metro".
  17. "Biarritz Olympique : l'effectif 2017/2018 en images". SUD OUEST.
  18. "San Diego Legion begins season with rugby legend Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand World Cup fame". San Diego Union-Tribune. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  19. Anonymous, "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SUSPENDS 2020 SEASON FOR 30 DAYS," www.majorleague.rugby, March 12, 2020 Retrieved March 14, 2020
  20. "San Diego sign ex-Force flyhalf Luke Burton". TWF. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  21. "A close finish against Rugby United NY, Legion is undefeated". SD LEGION. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  22. Stone, Ken (9 March 2020). "San Diego Legion, Only Unbeaten Team in Major League Rugby, Holds Off NY". Times of San Diego. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  23. "San Diego sign ex-Force flyhalf Luke Burton". America Rugby News. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  24. "Luke Burton". Rugby Profiles. Rugby Profiles. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
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