MATT BURKE

Matthew Burke is one of Australian rugby’s favourite sons having graduated from the prestigious St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill to playing 81 Tests on the International stage for the coveted Wallaby Gold from 1993 to 2004. He progressed quickly from the amateur ranks of club Rugby with Eastwood to donning the sky blue for the NSW Waratahs to making his Test debut for the Wallabies in 1993 at just 20 years of age against the Springboks in Sydney.

 

Affectionately known by the Rugby community as ‘Burkey’ he went on to represent the Wallabies at 3 World Cups (1995, 1999 & 2003) and made his mark on the 1999 World Cup final in Cardiff when his magnificent right boot provided 25 points in Australia’s 35-12 eclipse of France to claim the William Webb Ellis trophy for Australia. He would also play a major role in the historic 2-1 series win against the British & Irish Lions in 2001 along with being a multiple winner of the Bledisloe Cup beating long time archrivals the All Blacks.

 

Post his time with the Wallabies, Matt played with the Newcastle Falcons for three years in the United Kingdom before turning his attention to the media, with equal success. He became the face of the International rugby coverage for Network Ten and quickly established himself as an expert commentator, TV host and prime time news reader over the past 10 years.

 

Burkey is widely considered to be the greatest Wallabies fullback in the history of the code. He also currently sits on the board of NSW Rugby and is President of the NSW Waratahs. Matt is highly professional, articulate and is a very respected voice in Australian rugby. His combined success in both his playing career and as a media pundit have made him a much sought after MC and keynote speaker.

 

Matt currently enjoys a career in journalism and spends his free time with wife Kate and their four daughters on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.