ROTHERHAM director of rugby Harvey Biljon hailed his No.8 Callum Bustin after he became the club’s all-time leading try-scorer, backing the forward’s finishing instincts as a key weapon in Titans’ promotion push.
Bustin, 28, reached the landmark despite an injury-hit campaign, where he’s been restricted to eight appearances but scored his fourth try of the season in the 54-0 victory over Clifton, which took his overall tally to 52.
The rugby league convert signed at Clifton Lane back in 2021 and eclipsed the previous record set by captain Zak Poole last year.
Biljon told The Rugby Paper: “Callum’s got a fantastic try-scoring record – the number of tries he’s scored in the number of games he’s played, that record is pretty good. He definitely knows his way to the try line. And to consider he’s had a bit of a disjointed season with the number of games he’s played because of injury, every time we’ve had him on the field he’s been very good.”
What makes Bustin’s feat more notable, Biljon believes, is the manner of his scoring. Unlike traditional finishers, the Titans talisman does his damage from the base of the scrum.
Biljon added: “When people talk about finishers, you’re normally talking about wingers or outside backs. But Callum’s been able to do it on both fronts. He’s done it through hard work and carrying as a forward, but also manoeuvred himself onto edges.
“The balance of his scores has been pretty good and he’s found a way of being in the right place at the right time, and that doesn’t just happen by mistake.”
Bustin’s milestone has come during a hugely productive campaign for Titans, who sat top of National League 1 after 19 rounds with 16 wins and 81 points.
Former Wasps scrum-half, Biljon, however, is refusing to get carried away. “We don’t talk about being top of the table,” he said. “But there are certain aspects of our game going very well. I think we’ve scored the most points in the league, so our attack has been going very well. We’re happy with where we are but we know there’s lots of rugby still to play.”
The South African is relishing his project at Rotherham after being involved in a consultancy role at Doncaster, having previously been Jersey Reds director of rugby when the club went under just four months after winning the Championship.
He said: “From where we were when I arrived to where we are now, we’ve gained real momentum. There’s a great buzz around the club and the area. The supporters are fantastic; the way they get behind the team is brilliant. The players want to go and make a difference for them, and long may that continue.”
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