He might have already earned 33 caps for the Western Force, but when flyhalf Max Burey confirmed a two-year deal for the Waratahs, it felt like a full circle moment.
Having come close to putting on the sky blue jersey several times, the 27-year-old is determined to make his time in Daceyville count.
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Originally from Wagga Wagga, Burey moved to Sydney in Year 12 to pursue rugby league, but took a chance to play with Shute Shield side Northern Suburbs and work with brothers Harry Burey and Jack Burey.
“My earliest years of rugby, I was probably a Brumbies fan just because Canberra was so close to Wagga,” Burey said.
“But as I got older, [I] definitely started to lean into the Waratahs.
“Being in club rugby, you’re always striving to be at the Waratahs as well.
“It does feel special growing up in New South Wales, being around Sydney. It’s awesome to be in and amongst the Waratahs, and be a part of that.
“The memory [of] winning in 2014, watching that conversion go over, that was the one that sticks out to me.”
While Burey came close to making the squad at age 21, he ultimately missed out, which opened the door to him not only debut for the Force in 2023, but also enjoy two years in the Australian Men’s Sevens program, the year the side won their inaugural World SVNS Series title.
However, the chance to come back and play for New South Wales was something the flyhalf always wanted to do at some point.
With Super Rugby AUS around the corner, Burey now has a chance to hit the ground running at the club, playing in the competition that saw him win Player of the Tournament last year.
“It was great to debut at the Force,” Burey reflected on his journey over the last four years.
“But to come back in, pull on that jersey, be a member of the [Waratahs] squad is definitely something that drives you.
“It is full circle, it is good to see you persist with it. Everyone is in a rush to debut, get that jersey, but everything comes at the right time.
“I’m very happy to be here at this age compared to getting a taste at 21.
“I think running out as a home team in front of that will be quite exciting. Running out at Allianz, it’s a great place to play.
“I’m just grateful to be back in New South Wales, [and] hopefully get to represent the state I grew up in, help to continue progressing the game of rugby.
“To play a small part in that, grateful I guess would be the main word. The second word would be excited.
“We’ve got a great squad here, I’m excited for us as a group with what happens next.”
