06/05/2008 22:03

Stephen Nell

Cape Town - Waratahs scrumhalf Luke Burgess may be in line to take the place of the great George Gregan in the Australian rugby team but he would like to be regarded as the next Joost van der Westhuizen.

The 24-year-old Burgess, who faces the Stormers in a Super 14 match at Newlands on Saturday, is an admirer of South African rugby, and SA scrumhalves in particular.

He is likely to oppose Springbok Ricky Januarie on Saturday in what could be a preview of the scrumhalf battles when the Springboks and the Wallabies meet in their Tri-Nations Tests later this season.

"I have always been impressed by South African scrumhalves," Burgess said here on Tuesday. "When I was younger, I was a great fan of Joost van der Westhuizen.

"South Africa has many skilful scrumhalves. I enjoy watching them. They are difficult opponents. Ruan Pienaar has a lot of natural talent and Rory Kockott is also playing well.

"I try to play the way South African scrumhalves play, and South Africans in general. They have a fantastic style and they're disciplined."

Januarie could have the inside lane in the race to be selected as Springbok scrumhalf against Wales and Italy next month. His form has been better than that of any other leading SA scrumhalf.

Relatively inexperienced

Burgess, on the other hand, is reluctant to discuss his chances of playing for the Wallabies. "I have not given it a thought," he said.

"I am focused on playing for the Waratahs in the next few Super 14 matches. I don't want to confuse myself by thinking about the Wallabies.

With Kurtley Beale at flyhalf and Burgess at No 9, the Waratahs have dangerous, attacking halfbacks.

Burgess is relatively inexperienced, having played in only two matches for the Brumbies before the start of this season's Super 14. The match against the Stormers will be a good test of his ability to handle pressure.

"I think my strong point is the fast pace at which I play the game," he said on Tuesday.

"Phil Waugh has told us Newlands is one of the best places in the world to play rugby. I'd like to experience it.

"We realise the spectators will make a huge noise. Our communication will have to be good under those circumstances.

"The Stormers have been impressive. It will be a great challenge to play against them. We hope to regain the form that we had before our defeat at Loftus Versfeld."