January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
'Playing against the world's best is intimidating'
'Playing against the world's best is intimidating'
Don Burgess spoke to the Bermuda Sun's Male Sports Personality of the Year about a year that had its highs, but also some bad breaks as well.
How does it feel to win the Bermuda Sun's Sports Personality of the Year?
I'm delighted. Coming over from Ireland six years ago, this certainly wasn't on the list of things I thought I'd achieve so it's a complete shock, but welcomed and appreciated.
How do you feel your year went?
It wasn't one of my most successful seasons as I was injured for most of the year, but that provided the opportunity for me to work on my fitness, which ultimately helped me for the qualification rounds of the West Indies 7s. This started back in November (2008) when we did the Caribbean Championships in the Bahamas where we came second. From that I made the shortlist of 20 names to make the West Indies 7s. One half of the 20 in Trinidad for the International 7s and the other half played in Uruguay for the Punta Del Este 7s.
After those two tournaments there was a camp in Barbados for the 20 players for three days of fitness tests. From there, the final squad for Hong Kong was picked. The fact that I was injured, I was able to focus on fitness a lot more than I would have been able to do had I been to training on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the club and playing on weekends.
How did it feel to get
selected?
It was a huge relief that I was of a high enough standard when I hadn't been playing that level when you go into these things. It's very hard when you go into a tournament like the Punta Del Este because we go from playing the domestic game in Bermuda to playing an international game against professionals. There is no intermediate level before you get there. My own game went quite well so I was happy, but it didn't go so well for me in the final Barbados trial. I didn't do so well, which made the decision to bring me or not very much a 50-50 call.
How big a deal is the Hong Kong 7s?
It was totally unexpected. The Hong Kong 7s is huge. To make that is the pinnacle of anything I've achieved in sports. It turned out to be a great year for me even though I was out for most of the rugby season in '08-09.
What was it like playing in Hong Kong?
It was my second time being in that atmosphere. My first time was in San Diego in 2007. That time was more far more intimidating. I knew what to expect in going to Hong Kong. It led me to question why I was there when I was up against some of the greats. It is intimidating. It leads to the question, 'Am I up to that standard?' I got over it because they are just as human as I am. I had to concentrate on my own game.
Which game of the tournament stands out the most to you?
The very first game we played the World Cup semi-finalist, which had finished a month or so previous. So the World Cup was very fresh in everyone's mind. We played Kenya. They were ranked in the top four at that time and we were winning for most of the game, but at the end of the game we lost. I managed to score in that game so that was a personal high to score in front of 50,000 people.
What was it like being able to score?
Well, against the talent on that team, it was a huge thrill. I was trying to focus on the basics and make sure I didn't drop the ball or didn't allow someone to get to me, but it all happened so quickly that it was over before I realized what was going on. We still ended up losing the game so I couldn't take a whole lot out of it.
What injury did you have?
I tore my hamstring and then I fractured a vertebrae in my back. It was a bit weird with an injury at the start of the season and an injury at the start of the second half of the season.
How did the rest of rugby community support you?
The rugby community is pretty small in comparison to other sports on the island so everyone tends to know everyone. I got loads of support from opposition players and my own club. Everyone was very supportive and quite happy to see one of the Bermuda players make it. We haven't been a huge powerhouse in Caribbean rugby in recent years so the fact that Bermuda is still on the map and still on the West Indies teams benefits everyone.
How long have you been playing rugby?
All my life. I come from a staunchly rugby family. My father was the president of the provincial team in Munster. We went to rugby playing schools. Rugby was always the sport for my family - eight kids, four boys and four girls. Everyone played rugby.
How did you end up playing for Renegades when you came to Bermuda?
It was a bit of coincidence.
I went to college with the then captain of Renegades Shane Coleman. It was through that relationship that generated my interest in Renegades. n
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