NRL 2023: Bulldogs stars Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton praise arrival of Viliame Kikau
Bulldogs star Matt Burton has first hand experience of how good Viliame Kikau can be, and says the 2022 premiership-winner gives Canterbury one of the best edges in the competition.
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They haven’t made the finals in six years, let alone sniffed the premiership trophy.
But that hasn’t stopped Canterbury star Josh Addo-Carr from boldly declaring the Bulldogs aren’t far away from being “on top” of the league.
Off the back of a successful World Cup campaign, Addo-Carr can not hide his enthusiasm for what the Bulldogs’ could produce next season.
“Good luck trying to tackle Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton or Josh Addo-Carr on the left side,” Addo-Carr said with his trademark cackle.
Kikau is about to be a game-changer for a Bulldogs side who have struggled to produce points in recent seasons. This year they finished 14th for points scored – which was their best in four seasons. Last year they scored the least in the competition and were ranked 15th and last in 2020 and 2019 respectively.
But the arrival of Penrith’s premiership-winning player should change all that.
“I’ve been on the other side of the field so I haven’t had to tackle him,” Addo-Carr said. “He draws defenders in and creates a lot of opportunities for the people around him. He creates space for his outside players. For such a big body he is fast. He is the whole package for a backrower.”
Five-eighth Burton is key on that left side. He has first hand experience of how good Kikau can be having won a premiership alongside Kikau at Penrith in 2021..
“It’s going to be unreal,” Burton said. “The spark he brings and talent. It’s going to be special to have him on the edge. Looking forward to working with him.
“I am just glad he is on our team and not running at me.”
Part of the change at Belmore involves new coach Cameron Ciraldo. Burton too has a close relationship with him during their time at Penrith.
“I’m super keen to work with him,’ Burton said. “I spent a bit of time with him. I’m keen to see him in person. We haven’t had too many discussions. I spoke with him when he first said to congratulate him and said I was looking forward to working with him again.”
Burton and Addo-Carr were part of Australia’s World Cup winning squad. They became Canterbury’s first Australian player since David Klemmer featured in the 2017 tournament.
Addo-Carr said their inclusion dispelled suggestions that joining the Bulldogs would end a players’ representative hopes.
“I’m proud to be a Bulldog and it’s showing the rest of the competition that you can go to a struggling side and still play rep footy,” Addo-Carr said. “I didn’t think about that too much. I just narrowed my focus on playing good footy for the Bulldogs.
“We are going to be on top one day and I can’t wait for it.”
Originally published as NRL 2023: Bulldogs stars Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton praise arrival of Viliame Kikau
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