Highlanders recruit Burns eager to play alongside 'some of the world's best'
Highlanders recruit Freddie Burns is looking forward to playing alongside some of the âworldâs best playersâ in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
The former England flyhalf signed from Leicester Tigers, and will be available for his new club in time for the opening round of the new campaign.
While the Highlandersâ decision to sign Burns may have raised a few eyebrows in the Southern Hemisphere, thereâs no doubting the experience heâll bring to the team.
Burns played more than 110 games for Leicester over the course of his career, which included a last-minute drop goal against Saracens in last yearâs Premiership final.
The 32-year-old is set to run out alongside the likes of Aaron Smith, Vilimoni Koroi and Jona Nareki this season.
âItâs a five a month contract so Iâm just going to get there, literally jump in headfirst into the culture, into the rugby, and just see where it gets me,â Burns told RugbyPass Offload.
âIâm lucky as well because obviously preseason games start next weekend so Iâll literally land and itâll be straight into games so Iâve not got that preseason to go through.
âHop in, jump in, give it my all, play with some of the worldâs best players.
âTheyâve got such an exciting, young backline. Itâs going to be exciting to be a part of.â
Super Rugby Pacific is set to get underway in just a few weeks, with a New Zealand derby between the champion Crusaders and Chiefs opening the season.
As for Burnsâ Highlanders, theyâll begin their campaign on February 25 against the Blues at Dunedinâs Forsyth Barr Stadium.