Hull KR: Travis Burns is passionate, but isn't wound up easily, says Clint Newton

TRAVIS Burns has all the attributes to become a fans' favourite at Craven Park, according to former Hull KR star Clint Newton.

Newton left Rovers at the end of the 2011 campaign after a four-season spell to join Burns at Penrith Panthers.

Playing alongside the 28-year-old, the pair have struck up a good friendship and Newton, himself a terrace hero at Rovers, feels Burns will also be an instant hit.

"Travis is an extremely experienced stand-off with over 130 games in the NRL," he told the Mail.

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"Rovers' fans will get to see the passion Travis plays with.

"He is a very emotional player but he will be an asset in both defence and attack.

"He is a smart player who likes to take the line on and who isn't afraid to shirk a carry when conditions are bad.

"He will love the fact that Rovers are so well supported. I also have no doubt his game will suit Super League and he will form a good partnership with Michael Dobson."

Newton, who will play for USA in next year's World Cup in England, thrived on derby games with Hull FC, backing up his words on the pitch and taking the pressure off others by doing so.

More often than not, Newton was able to lead Rovers to victory over their arch enemies and he expects Burns to relish the cross-city games just as much as he did.

"Travis will love the derbies," Newton added.

"When he runs out onto the field and feels the atmosphere in the ground from both sets of fans, he will feed off that.

"Fans won't be surprised to see him make things difficult for the opposition, particularly in those games.

"He won't get caught up in the occasion because he knows he has a job to do for his team.

"There won't be anything left in the changing rooms when he plays in the derbies, that's for sure."

Despite being an NRL veteran, Burns has amassed a reputation for being an overly aggressive player.

He has picked up a lot of suspensions and some critics see that as a potential weakness. But not Newton. And he has a warning for opposition coaches and players who think they'll be able to get Burns into trouble.

"He isn't a player that can be wound up easily," Newton explained.

"Teams tried running their big forwards at him this season but he has put his fair share on their backside.

"He is a smart player who plays with emotion.

"Sometimes that emotion gets the better of him.

"But I'd rather have someone show passion like he does rather than play next to someone who sits back and lets the opposition players walk all over them."