Ulster Rugby v Benetton Rugby

It’s been a season of ‘firsts’ so far for the young front rower. He made his first start versus Munster, his first Champions Cup appearance against Leicester, captained Ulster for the first time and scored his first try against Leinster. “It was great to be given the opportunity to captain Ulster, to lead the boys out at Kingspan Stadium was pretty special. And the Champions Cup is the highest exposure you can get behind Test rugby so to get that is great. To get a win a Kingspan (versus Leicester) and to be there to soak in the atmosphere in a completely new experience (away to Racing 92) the following week, were pretty good moments for me.” When asked about his try against Leinster, he said it was like the Red Sea just split in front of him and he was able to burst through the centres. Then when Rob Kearney showed him the outside, he just took it and after he rounded him he thought he’d best go around underneath the posts to give Johnny McPhillips a chip kick conversation! I had a good view of the try and I’m pretty sure I saw him fall over his laces on the back of a maul from 30cm out, but whatever! McBurney has himself listed online as 184cm, and whilst I think he may have been on stilts that day, this little white lie may be a throw back to when he was learning his trade in the back row. No doubt this is where he picked up the skills that have become a key facet of his game: his ability to disrupt opposition ball at the breakdown and win ball on the floor. He’s tough as old boots and with a low centre of gravity, and he’s able to get in a strong ‘jackal’ position. When he’s locked in, he’s hard to move! On the influence on his game of fellow hooker and Club Captain, Rory Best, he explained: “I want to be my own player so I don’t want to run around trying to do everything Besty does. But there are some parts of his game, for example his breakdown work and his decision making in that area, which are very strong. I pride myself on my work in that area of the game, so I think why not squeeze every drop from him while he’s around.” Work ethic and dedication are not just what he displays every day in training, but are the story behind the man. With those attributes in abundance, expect to see Adam McBurney taking to the field at Kingspan Stadium for a long time to come.

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