Code swap for Bear complete

HE is the hockey star-turned Burleigh surprise packet who is set to be among the fastest players in the Gold Coast Rugby League.

All he needs now, according to coach Matt Foster, is the chance to find his feet at the top level.

Bears flyer Luke De Vleig is just 12 months into his rugby league journey, trading the hockey stick for the Steeden with success in the club’s reserve grade last year.

Now the South African speedster, who has been clocked at close to 35km/hr, has been elevated to the Agrade squad.

“Pace is something you can’t defend when you’re given as little bit of space, so we’re working on that education for him,” Foster said.

“He played reggies last year and played a bit of fullback to score a fair few tries. We had a GPS on him and I think he got just short of 34km/hr in the last game, so I think he’ll be around the 35km/hr mark when he gets to his best.

“He actually represented Burleigh in the Queensland Cup grand final. They did a sprint race, someone represented each club and he won it.

“He’s still obviously still learning the game, you can’t learn everything in 12 months, but he’s got good balance and an eye for a gap. Once he’s there, he takes it.”

The Bears will be looking to open their premiership defence against a star-studded Southport Tigers line up, one which features former NRL star Greg Bird.

Bird will take his place at fiveeighth, with another past Titan in Kane Elgey expected to slot in at halfback.

Hooker Sione Katoa, who compiled 75 NRL appearance with Penrith and Canterbury, will pull on the number nine jersey, while John Folau will take his place in the centres.

In spearheading the Bears’ forward pack against their formidable foes, Foster has called on new recruit Joe Duffy as the man to take the challenge head on. The Orange product was suggested to Foster by former Burleigh star Jack Buchanan, who now coaches in Duffy’s hometown, as a young prop capable of reaching rugby league’s heights.