New style in pursuit of paradise

EXPECT to see a different brand of rugby from Surfers Paradise this season as they strive to return to the top of Gold Coast District Rugby Union.

The Dolphins have been a dominant force in recent seasons, clinching the 2016 and 2017 first grade titles before losing to Griffith University Colleges in last year’s decider.

Long-time mentor Kris Burton has switched into a director of rugby role, with South African duo Marius Van der Nist and Darren Uys stepping up as co-coaches in his place.

Under ex-Italy international Burton, Surfers deployed a kicking-orientated game plan that helped them in the territory department but the club’s new coaches are set to bring a noticeable on-field change.

“With Burto bringing his level of experience, it was a very European type of game we were playing,” Dolphins president Anthony Ralph said.

“With these two guys, they are South African, both played at a very high level – at Super Rugby level as well as international in their under-20 careers – it’s a very southern hemisphere style of rugby, so very hard, very fast.”

Surfers have the Round 1 bye in first grade this week, while the second graders will be coached by Ron Burness.