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Report: Scotland in talks to poach All Black prospect from the Crusaders
By Ben Smith
Scotland have an All Black prospect in their sights as a shortage of U20 talent has forced a recruitment spree to raid eligible offshore talent according to a report by Mail Sport.
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Crusaders first five-eighth Fergus Burke, currently recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in 2023, is the target of interest as they look to bolster playmaking depth with no imminent successor to 31-year-old flyhalf Finn Russell.
Mail Sport understands that they parties are in talks over a deal that would bring Burke to Glasgow Warriors and bring him into national contention.
The 24-year-old is just one of the players that Scotland is chasing from the Southern Hemisphere as a lack of players coming through the pipeline at U2o level hits home.
The groomed successor to departed All Black No 10 Richie Moāunga, Burke is off-contract with NZR and the Crusaders at the end of 2024 in what shapes as a pivotal year.
He has been with the club since coming through the Crusaders academy in 2018 and with Moāunga gone, he has the chance to finally take over the 10 jersey for the club.
A move to Scotland would be a blow for New Zealandās thinning first five stocks with Burke one of the strongest candidates to break into the All Blacks over the next few years.
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Head coach Gregor Townsend is concerned about the depth of the Scotland national side and there are fears that Italy could surpass them in the coming years with strong production at U20 level and success in the URC with Benetton.
If this new kid Reihana settles in with Noah then Burke is š«š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ
āScotlandā¦..look to bolster playmaking depth with no imminent successor to 31-year-old flyhalf Finn Russell.ā
Oh cāmon, that is a ludicrous statement ! Ben Healy was signed from Munster to fulfil that role. And he has hit the ground running with Edinburgh, and has looked comfortable in his four appearances for the Scottish national side.
I wonder what āin talks over a dealā means? Sounds quite advanced.
Either way, this guy can play. As Moungaās heir apparent at the Saders, the worldās his oyster, injury notwithstanding.
Due back in round 7, decisions decisions decisions, for him.
At least he has new leverage for Rugby NZ once his agent starts contract extension negotiations.
This would suck.
How about unions have to pay transfer fees to reflect the time and cost of developing a player up to professional standard only to have no return on that in the future?
This would put a huge amount of funding into P.I and NZ coffers.
Iām not sure how it would work though. When players turn 18 they sign a 10 year commitment to their national union if they want to play professionally in that country or at U20 representative level?
Why Fergus Burke? Is he even eligible to play for Scotland ?
What a jokeā¦
Good to see the money that SA previously wasted on Super Rugby now being put to good use by Scotland to boost their clubs and national team.
Back off, Scotland. Keep your mitts off our future ABs š