Tonga twist stuns mate
SURFERS Paradise rugby star Kris Burton admits he was blindsided by Tonga Lea’aetoa’s shock decision to switch to rivals Helensvale for the 2018 season.
Burton and Lea’aetoa were at the helm of the Dolphins as playing co-coaches for their back-to-back unbeaten premierships and were set to extend their 37-game first grade winning streak.
But that plan has gone out the window now that prop Lea’aetoa has taken on a new challenge.
“I was as surprised as you were,” said Burton, who will continue on as head coach.
“I hadn’t heard anything about it at all until he said it.
“I was given the same notice that everyone else was pretty much.”
For a team that has completed the unthinkable two years in a row, Lea’aetoa’s move to the Hogs plus the arrival of former Reds lock Van Humphries as Palm Beach Currumbin’s coach could be just the motivation Surfers Paradise players need to keep striving for new heights.
“If Palm Beach picks up this year, if Tonga and Helensvale pick up as well and obviously Colleges are going to be there, you haven’t got just one or two teams that are going along, you have got competition of five or six who are really close,” Burton said.
“That is only better for the competition from my point of view and that’s the kind of encouragement the boys need because they need to know it’s not a sure thing. They know that and I think that’s why they want to come back and prove that it wasn’t a fluke.”
For all their domination, former Italy Test representative Burton feels Surfers can still be better.
“Two years ago we probably won games easier,” he said.
“Last year the competition picked up again and the other teams came closer.
“We improved as well. I think still there’s a chance for us to improve so there’s a lot of things that we need to do.”
Burton added he expects Humphries will make a huge impact at the Alleygators.
“I have no doubt he can bring a lot to Palm Beach and to the competition as well,” Burton said.
The pair know each other from their days playing Queensland Premier Rugby for Souths and Burton sent Humphries a message upon learning of his appointment. The season begins March 10.