Like Idris Elba’s TV detective, Luther is not a man to be messed with, as Castres will find out tonight in his last game for Northampton before his expected debut for England against France in the opening game of the Six Nations.
Burrell, who played both codes of rugby growing up in Huddersfield, has always looked the part physically, but it is only in the last 12 months at the Saints that he has learned how to employ his attributes effectively as a union hitman as well as a powerful offloading attacker.
“I’ll openly admit I wasn’t the strongest defender. I had to take a bit of time out last season and go back to the drawing board to get myself up to scratch and be able to compete at this level,†said Burrell.
“I used to tackle too upright. That could be down to my rugby league background. That wasn’t the policy here – it’s all about chopping people down low – and it was about getting that drilled in on the training field. I want to hit people low now.
“I have a lot of power coming through and I’ve put a few big hits in. When you get that feeling of smashing someone you want to do more so you work at it even more.
“Putting the big shot on someone and seeing them crumble on the floor in a bit of pain is almost more enjoyable than scoring tries.
“It can be a massive turning point for the team. It’s something that can really shift the momentum and it’s something I feel will be able to implement from now on.
“If the opportunity does come [against France] the last thing I’d want is for them to get the upper hand on me. I’d want to take it to them and let them know I’m not going to take any prisoners.â€
Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/english-rugby-looks-to-tackle-concussion-fears-1-3266610
International selection beckons for Northampton Saints centre Luther Burrell
No comments:
Post a Comment