Rookie Souths playmaker Luke Keary has the cool temperament to guide the side to the NRL finals, Sam Burgess says.
The hyped 22-year-old will start for just the third time when the Rabbitohs take on the Knights in Cairns on Sunday.
Over the last two seasons Keary has had to serve his apprenticeship behind Adam Reynolds and John Sutton.
But with Sutton sidelined for three to six weeks due to a knee injury suffered against Canberra on Monday night, Keary has will start in the No.6 jumper against the Knights.
Keary has been placing pressure on Reynolds to wear the Rabbitohs No.7 jersey in the long-term.
With six regular rounds to go, the Rabbitohs are four points off ladder leaders Manly and well placed to make a run for their first premiership since 1971.
Burgess says Keary possesses the composure and flair to pilot the side around the park at the business end of the year.
"He'll be fine, he's probably not even thinking about (finals)," Burgess said.
"When he trains, he trains as hard as he can, he tries to get the best out of himself and the most out of his game.
"I can guarantee you he's not looking forward past this weekend.
"He's a very smart footballer and I don't think the pressure will get to him at all.
"For a young kid who hasn't played a lot of first grade his name has been in the paper quite a bit and he's probably been spoken about more than any other rookie. It never fazes him."
Keary said he was not worried about being labelled the next big thing.
"I don't read into it much," he said.
"I've done basically nothing in the game so far, I've played a handful of first grade games and only started two or three games.
"I don't read into it, I haven't achieved anything at the moment."
Share
