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One of the Waratahs favourite sons, Matt Burke today returned to the fold as their kicking coach and stressed he bore no grudges about the controversial end to his playing career with the team.
Former Wallabies fullback and centre Burke was the first Waratah to play 100 games and still holds the team’s all-time points scoring record of 1172.
Burke effectively retired after suffering a knee injury last October following a three-and-a-half year stint with English club Newcastle.
He showed no trace of bitterness about his exit from the Waratahs following the 2004 season when the then coach Ewen McKenzie opted against offering him another contract.
“There were never any grudges to bear in Waratah-land. It was a big part of what I did and where I came from for a number of years, so to be back is quite nice,” Burke said.
“Four years ago is a long time ago and if you bear grudges for that long you’d go a grey man, it’s done and dusted.”
A prolific goal kicker, Burke benefited from tuition from English kicking guru Dave Alred and also got to watch English sharp shooter Jonny Wilkinson at close quarters during their time together at Newcastle.
Burke, whose Waratah caps total of 115 is second only to his successor as skipper Chris Whitaker, said he had no immediate aspirations to be a head coach.
New NSW coach Chris Hickey revealed Burke’s influence would not be limited to just kicking and that he would also work extensively with the wingers and fullbacks.
“The kicking is important, but that aspect of it (working with the wingers and fullbacks) excites me because I think Matt’s experience as a player in those positions is just invaluable,” Hickey said
“We want to try and maximize the potential of our players, particularly our wingers and fullbacks, both in attack and defence and I think there’s a lot that Matt will bring to the table in that area.”
First choice goalkicker Kurtley Beale, who experienced a mixed season with the boot this year, was looking forward to learning from Burke.
“Goalkicking-wise it wasn’t really good this year for myself, pretty difficult, but when he (Burke) is on board it kind of gives you a little bit of confidence,” Beale said.
Beale, who like Burke attended the famous rugby nursery, St Joseph’s College in Sydney, was hoping to fight his way back into Test contention later in the year, after having a cast removed from his broken right hand tomorrow.
“I think the Waratahs are going on a tour of Fiji later this year so hopefully I can maybe get on that and then put my hand up for a spot on the (Wallabies) spring tour at the end of the year,” Beale said.
Hickey said the proposed tour could go ahead in October but still had to be confirmed.
Burke’s appointment, which followed the recruitment earlier this week of Wallabies assistant coach Michael Foley, completed the Waratahs coaching staff for next year.
Hickey said he still had three spots to fill on his playing roster.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.