Burns' honoured to join local league legend in rep outfit

HOOKER says Goldsworthy sets the example for up and coming players on the Sunshine Coast.

FILE: Sam Burns playing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons colts outfit. Picture: John McCutcheon

RUGBY LEAGUE: Noosa Pirates hooker Sam Burns has described how Maroochydore captain and local league legend Murray Goldsworthy inspired the Sunshine Coast side at last weekend's 47th Battalion.

The Falcons were unable to defend the title, falling short in a final against Toowoomba, but had nine players selected to represent the Central Crows at the Queensland Rugby League state carnival on the Gold Coast in June.

Goldsworthy and Burns were among the nine, and the two will collide when their Caloundra RSL Division 1 sides clash at Noosa District Sports Complex on Saturday night.

Rugby league match Maroochydore Coolum against Caboolture.Maroochydore forward Murray Goldsworthy Photo: Warren Lynam / Sunshine Coast Daily. Picture: Warren Lynam

They join Reuben Bailie, Haydan Lipp, Blake Mara, Rohan Messer, Nat McGavin, Paul McKewin and Dan Murphy in the side, where they will all vie for Queensland Rangers jerseys.

Annette Brander, Stefanie Gallagher, Courtney Lockwood and Sarah Walker were selected in the womens' Crows team, with a further four from the region making an emerging squad.

Burns said Goldsworthy led from the front in Yeppoon.

"He is as good on the field as he is off it,” Burns said.

Rugby Union grand final action at Wises Road between Maroochydore and Kawana. Maroochydore won 18-14. Murray Goldsworthy and Joshua Buckland. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily. Picture: John McCutcheon

"He explained to us what it meant to represent the Sunshine Coast and the standard we needed to play. He made strong carries and tackled well, I can't remember him making an error.”

Burns said he thrived under the 25-minute conditions and similarly, was thriving in the open spaces provided to fringe ISC players in the local competition.

The Falcons have no lack of depth at hooker, with current rake Brandon Smith being picked in New Zealand's 20-man squad for Friday's Anzac Test against Australia in Canberra.

It also boasts Melbourne-contracted hooker Jake Turpin, while vice-captain Alex Bishop also rose through the ranks in the number nine jersey.

Burns said he knows he faces an uphill battle to crack the state league side - which takes a well deserved break for this weekend's representative round - and will keep his head down and bum up.

"If I keep working hard the opportunities will come,” the Bachelor of Physical Education student said.

"I can't get my head down or anything like that. I'm hanging in and if I get a crack I want to make the most of the opportunity and try and stay in the side.

"In the meantime, I'm just trying to do my best at Noosa.”

The Pirates will look to make it three wins on the trot against the first-placed Swans on Saturday.

In other matches, Kawana meets Caloundra (4.30pm) at Beerwah, and Nambour travels to Caboolture, with the winner clawing its way off the bottom of the six-team ladder.