By MARK CASHMAN

There’s a vibe out there that Northern Suburbs are a team that’s all about the glitz and the glamour and not too much about the grunt and hard work that comes with defence.

While the Shoremen do have that “Audaces Fortuna Iuvat” attitude in their attacking game – for those non Latin scholar out there that means “Fortune Favours the Brave” and it features on the club crest – but it’s a ruthlessness in defence that has marked their season so far.

Norths have the best defensive record in the Shute Shield having conceded only 138 points in their 10 matches leading up the COIVID-19 enforced break.

The undefeated Sydney Uni are close on their heels having conceded 142 and with Phil Blake now in charge they will value the need stop tries as well as score them in the lead up the playoffs.

Utility back Max Burey believes Norths don’t get enough credit for their work when they don’t have the ball.

“A lot of people see Norths as being just an attacking side and that’s far from the case,” Burey told Rugby News.

“We’ve got a good mindset around our defence at the moment and obviously we take great pride in it.

“Norths like to put teams under pressure by coming off the line hard and the fact that we haven’t had any long range scored against us says something about the way we go about things.

“What we do need to work on and this has been discussed within the team is to not give penalties away when we are going hard at a team in their half and allow them to piggy back down the field.”

The 22-year-old Burey has been one of Norths “great finds” this year showing that he much more than just a very good fullback.

Burey has stepped in to the No.10 jersey when Angus Sinclair has been out injured and brought a whole new dimension to the way that Norths run their game from flyhalf.

“Yeah it’s been a bit different getting a bit of a run at No.10 and filling in for ‘Gus’,” Burey added.

“To be honest I don’t find thew two roles too much different and this being my second year in the Shute Shield there is the confidence to go out there and execute a game plan.

“Gus has so much experience and is very much the older head in our backline. He’s played so much Shute Shield and is a good game manager and has that strong kicking game.

“My game at 10 is a bit different to ‘Gus’s’ in that, and I don’t think ‘Gus’ would mind me saying I’ve got a little bit more speed off the mark.

“But I love playing with ‘Gus’ because he’s such a good communicator out there on the field and has that experience you need to win at the back end of the season.”

Burey has been living in Sydney since he was 18 years old having been picked up by the West Tigers system from the home town of Wagga where he played both rugby and “rugba league”.

The Tigers got him into Holy Cross College at Ryde to finish his HSC and from there he was part of the Jersey Flegg and West Tigers reserve grade squad.

Rugby though was always calling with brother Harry part of Norths 2016 premiership side and Jack the very capable and innovative GM at Norths.

“Even when I was playing league I would always come and watch the brothers play and when my contract at the Tigers finished it was a natural step to give it a go at Norths,” Burey said.

“Norths was always the place – I didn’t even joke with Harry and Jack about getting an offer to go to Gordon (sic).”

Norths coach Zak Beer says Burey is a unique commodity on the Shute Shield scene.

”Max brings a unique profile not only to our team but I think across the competition,” Beer said.

“There aren’t many fullbacks who have a similar ability to use their speed and footwork to create opportunities, but also dig deep into the line as ball-player and have an astute kicking game.

“He’s just as comfortable stepping in to 10 which is where I think he’ll end up long-term.

“He’s also a creative thinker, he enjoys talking about the game and new ideas we can bring in.

“Similar to his brother Harry, he’s driven to win and drives himself and everyone around him and he’s still got plenty more growth in his game.

“Off the back of our 2020 season Max earned the chance to join the wider Waratahs squad over summer and actually started at fullback in their trial against the Reds.

“I have no doubt if he continues to develop his game that a full-time opportunity at that level is only just around the corner.”

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON