Matt Burke was one of the greatest rugby fullbacks of all-time. He was a superb athlete with devastating pace, bruising defence, a near-flawless kicking game and the safest of hands under the high ball. Matt was a role model for all and a great ambassador for rugby. Born in Sydney, Matt was educated at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill and played two years in the 1st XV. He toured the U.K. and Europe with the unbeaten 1990/91 Australian Schools team and upon his return joined the Eastwood Rugby Club where he played 1st Grade at the age of 18.

A year later Matt was called up for his maiden provincial match for New South Wales, against Fiji, and in 1993 made his Test debut against South Africa in Sydney. Matt was a match-winner, time and time again. His kicking was confident, consistent, rhythmic and efficient and those traits were never more obvious than during the 1999 season. Matt kicked seven penalty goals and a conversion in the 28-7 world record defeat of New Zealand in Sydney. During the Rugby World Cup, and in windy, swirling conditions, he converted eight penalty goals in the semi-final against South Africa and a week later contributed 25 points (7PG, 2C) in the tournament final victory over France.

Not surprisingly Matt was tagged ‘the grim reaper in footy boots’ as he helped to methodically build victories three points at a time. Matt was also the first Wallaby to score a try in each match of a three Test Bledisloe Cup Series and the first Wallaby to score 150 or more points in three seasons (1996, 1999 & 2001). Matt played in three Rugby World Cups, won and retained the Bledisloe Cup, won a Tri Nations title and played an integral role in the historic 2-1 series defeat of the British & Irish Lions in 2001.

World Champion Matt Burke played 81 Tests for Australia and scored 878 points in his 12-year international career.

These days Matt is a profile Rugby Commentator and Sports Presenter with Network Ten.