North is the new Lomu insists Burrell

Ahead of a potential clash on the international stage, Luther Burrell admits his club teammate and British & Irish star George North reminds him of one of the greats of the game - Jonah Lomu. [more]

George North

Ahead of a potential clash on the international stage, Luther Burrell admits his club teammate and British & Irish star George North reminds him of one of the greats of the game – Jonah Lomu.

After North announced that he was due to join Northampton Saints from the Ospreys this season, Burrell got an insight into the talent he was set to play alongside as the Welshman shone Down Under.

North started all three Tests, scoring two tries and striking fear into the Qantas Wallabies whenever he ran at them.

Burrell couldn’t help but be impressed with what he saw, and that admiration has continued as the two look to bring silverware to Northampton.

However the duo are set to face off against each other as Wales travel to England next weekend.

And Burrell has no hesitation in likening North to legendary All Blacks winger Lomu ahead of their possible match-up.

“Jonah Lomu was my idol growing up and it would be pretty hard to knock him off his pedestal,” Burrell said.

“But George is right up there. He has so much power and he is very difficult to stop. What he does in games is fantastic.

“You have to shut his space down, you can’t give him any time. He can get over the gain line and he can sidestep you. We will have to put a couple of defenders on him or he will be away.

“Northampton went to Ospreys and he scored a full-length try.

“We went to Harlequins and he scored from 50 metres out, beating three defenders.

“He’s the sort of player who can change a game for you, a real talent.”

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