PRODIGIOUS Dubbo rugby league talent Matt Burton will take the biggest step in his burgeoning career to date when he flies out for Samoa on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The gun five-eighth will don the No.6 jersey for NSW Country under 16s during two games on the tiny Pacific Island nation, looking to continue the stellar form he produced for Western during this year’s country championship.
Burton is one of five Rams guns – six, if you include Dubbo’s Andrew Ryan as coach – to help Country’s under 16s in their bid for two wins from two games in Samoa.
Burton can’t wait for the chance.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Burton said, making the step up to Dubbo CYMS’ under 18s in 2016.
Having a lot of the Western boys in the side has helped.
- Matt Burton
“We haven’t been given too many instructions yet. It’s just been about getting together and getting to know everyone.
“Having a lot of the Western boys in the side has helped.”
Burton has been to Fiji previously, but the Samoan is his first taste of tour life, where he’s expecting to encounter plenty of size in the Samoan teams Country will face.
The Country under 16s will play two matches whilst on tour, with one game acting as a curtain raiser for the historic Samoa versus Fiji Test Match at Apia Park, which is the first Test Match to be played in Samoa.
The players will also visit schools and communities to help promote the game of rugby league in the Pacific Islands.
Burton said the key to his meteoric rise up the representative ranks was more focus.
“I’ve really improved my fitness this season, which has helped me play better, I think,” he said.
“There’s going to be some big boys in the Samoan sides, but I’m looking forward to it more than anything.”
The Country under 16s will tour with the Country Firsts side.
NSW Country will tour Samoa from Saturday, October 1 to Sunday, October 9.