Luke Burton
{{short description|Australian rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby union biography
| name = Luke Burton
| image = Luke Burton, San Diego Legion..jpg
| caption = Burton playing for the San Diego Legion
| fullname = Luke Burton
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|02|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = Perth, Western Australia
| height = {{convert|1.82|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|92|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation = Professional Rugby Player
| school = Hale School
| university =
| relatives = Jesse Kriel Dan Kriel (Cousins)
| position = Fly-Half / Centre
| currentclub = San Diego Legion
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2014–2017
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Force}}
| apps1 = 25
| points1 = 47
| years2 = 2014–2017
| clubs2 = Perth Spirit
| apps2 = 21
| points2 = 14
| years3 = 2017–2019
| clubs3 = Biarritz
| apps3 = 42
| points3 = 101
| years4 = 2020
| clubs4 = San Diego Legion
| apps4 = 5
| points4 = 62
| years5 = 2021–2022
| clubs5 = LA Giltinis
| apps5 = 13
| points5 = 35
| years6 = 2023
| clubs6 = San Diego Legion
| apps6 = 4
| points6 = 24
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 =
| amatcaps1 =
| amatpoints1 =
| repyears1 = 2013–2014
| repteam1 = Australia U20
| repcaps1 = 9
| reppoints1 = 48
| clubupdate = 27 January 2024
| repupdate = 27 January 2024
|image_size=}}
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). He previously played for the LA Giltinis in the MLR.{{cite web |title=LA GILTINIS ACQUIRE SHARP SHOOTER LUKE BURTON FROM SAN DIEGO LEGION |url=https://www.giltinis.com/news/la-giltinis-acquire-luke-burton-from-san-diego-legion/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204170034/https://www.giltinis.com/news/la-giltinis-acquire-luke-burton-from-san-diego-legion/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 December 2020 |website=giltinis |access-date=24 February 2021}} He can play as either a fly-half or centre.
He previously played for the Western Force in Super Rugby,{{cite web | url=http://www.westernforce.com.au/Team/WesternForce/PlayerDetail.aspx?pid=86 | title=Luke Burton Force Player Profile | publisher=Western Force | accessdate=19 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308010557/https://www.westernforce.com.au/Team/WesternForce/PlayerDetail.aspx?pid=86 | archive-date=8 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbywa.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/905/ArticleID/10708/Default.aspx |title=Force finalises 2014 playing roster |publisher=Rugby Western Australia |date=9 January 2014 |accessdate=19 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212032733/http://www.rugbywa.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/905/ArticleID/10708/Default.aspx |archivedate=12 February 2014 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.fr/joueur_28824.html | title=Luke Burton itsrugby Player Statistics | publisher=itsrugby | accessdate=19 May 2014}} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.irb.com/jwc/teams/team=4162/player=48595/index.html | title=Luke Burton IRB JWC Player Profile | publisher=IRB.com | accessdate=19 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519132210/http://www.irb.com/jwc/teams/team=4162/player=48595/index.html | archive-date=19 May 2014 | url-status=dead }}
Early life
Burton was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia and represented his state at various age-group levels during his school days.{{Cite web|date=2015-10-18|title=Perth's Hale School fostering young rugby talent|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-18/hale-school-in-wa-fielding-potential-wallabies/6862944|access-date=2020-06-15|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}} 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.{{cite web |title=New Zealand defeat Australia |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/australia/rugby/story/185245.html |website=ESPN |accessdate=June 9, 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1699/ArticleID/8875/Queenslands-Curtis-Browning-to-Captain-Australian-Under-20s-at-IRB-Junior-World-Championship.aspx | title=Queensland's Curtis Browning to Captain Australian Under 20s at IRB Junior World Championship | publisher=Rugby Australia | date = 18 April 2013 | accessdate=2 March 2014}}
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.{{cite web |title=NZU20 TEAM BEAT AUSTRALIA IN CLOSE GAME |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/nzu20-team-beat-australia-in-close-game/ |website=All Blacks}}
=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.{{Cite web|date=2013-08-29|title=Burton graduates at Western Force|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-union/burton-graduates-at-western-force-ng-ya-356541|access-date=2020-06-15|website=The West Australian|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Luke Burton re-signs with Western Force|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2015/04/14/luke-burton-re-signs-with-western-force/|access-date=2020-06-15|website=The Roar|language=en-US}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.net/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=114514&category=&leagueid=0&homeid=16184&awayid=16274&fullview=true | title=DHL Stormers vs Force 17 May 2014 Match Breakdown | publisher=SA Rugby | accessdate=19 May 2014}} 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.{{cite web |title=Luke Burton re-signs with Force |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/australia/rugby/story/261715.html |website=ESPN |accessdate=April 13, 2015}}{{Cite web|title=Burton reaps rewards from devotion to Force cause|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/burton-reaps-rewards-from-devotion-to-force-cause-27095980.html|access-date=2020-06-15|website=au.news.yahoo.com|date=13 April 2015 |language=en-AU}} Burton played 25 games for the Western Force starting at both Flyhalf and Inside Centre.{{cite web |title=LUKE BURTON Australia |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/australia/rugby/player/184456.html |website=ESPN |accessdate=May 10, 2017}}
In 2017, Burton received offers from France and left the Western Force to pursue new challenges. File:Luke Burton, Western Force.jpg
=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.{{cite web |url=http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2017/04/30/quesada-take-control-biarritz|title=Quesada to Take Control at Biarritz|date=2017-04-30}}{{cite web |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/story/165722.html|title=Quesada to take reins at Racing Metro}} 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.{{cite web |title=Biarritz Olympique : l'effectif 2017/2018 en images |url=https://www.sudouest.fr/2017/08/18/biarritz-olympique-l-effectif-2017-2018-en-images-3704890-4563.php |website=SUD OUEST|date=18 August 2017 }}File:Luke Burton, Biarritz Olympique.jpg
=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.{{Cite web|last= |first= |date=2020-02-07|title=San Diego Legion begins season with rugby legend Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand World Cup fame|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/story/2020-02-07/maa-nonu-new-zealand-all-blacks-san-diego-legion-mlr|access-date=2020-06-25|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US}} San Diego Legion were having a stellar season before COVID-19 cancelled the competition.[https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/major-league-rugby-suspends-2020-season-for-30-days/ Anonymous, "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SUSPENDS 2020 SEASON FOR 30 DAYS," www.majorleague.rugby, March 12, 2020 Retrieved March 14, 2020]{{cite web |title=San Diego sign ex-Force flyhalf Luke Burton |url=https://twf.com.au/showthread.php?t=41012 |website=TWF |accessdate=September 10, 2019}} 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.{{Cite web|title=A close finish against Rugby United NY, Legion is undefeated|url=https://sdlegion.com/blogs/news/runy-v-sd-legion-3-8-2020-recap|access-date=2020-06-25|website=SD LEGION|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Stone|first=Ken|date=2020-03-09|title=San Diego Legion, Only Unbeaten Team in Major League Rugby, Holds Off NY|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2020/03/08/san-diego-legion-only-unbeaten-team-in-major-league-rugby-holds-off-ny/|access-date=2020-06-25|website=Times of San Diego|language=en-US}}
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.
Playing Style
Burton is well known for possessing an X factor skillset and an attacking style of play.{{cite web |title=San Diego sign ex-Force flyhalf Luke Burton |url=http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2019/09/10/san-diego-sign-ex-force-flyhalf-luke-burton/ |website=America Rugby News |accessdate=September 10, 2019}} 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.{{cite web |title=Luke Burton |url=https://www.rugbyprofiles.com/lukeburton |website=Rugby Profiles |accessdate=January 10, 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{San Diego Legion squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burton, Luke}}
Category:Australian rugby union players
Category:Biarritz Olympique players
Category:Rugby union fly-halves
Category:Rugby union players from Perth, Western Australia
Category:San Diego Legion players
Category:Sportsmen from Western Australia
Category:Western Force players
Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in France
Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in the United States