Wallabies fullback Matt Burke has been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
Burke played 81 games for the Wallabies, debuting against South Africa in 1993 and would establish himself as one of the best outside backs in the history of the gold jersey.
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He helped the team to World Cup victory in 1999, kicking 24 points in the semi-final against South Africa and 25 points against France in the Final.
Burke ended his career second for all-time points for Australia with 878, only trailing legendary flyhalf Michael Lynagh.
The Waratahs legend held a plethora of scoring records throughout his career, including the most points in an individual game against the British & Irish Lions in 2001 during their famous 2-1 series win.
It remains Australia’s only series win over the Lions, backing this up with a famous win over the All Blacks in Dunedin later in the year.
Burke would last pull on the gold jersey in 2004, eventually retiring from the game in 2008 after a stint in the UK.
“Matt Burke’s ascension to the World Rugby Hall of Fame will be celebrated by everyone in Australian Rugby and fans of our great game the world over,” RA CEO and former Wallabies teammate Phil Waugh said.
“Matt was a brilliant teammate blessed with remarkable skills and a calm demeanour. He was the player teams turned to in the most critical, pressure-packed moments because they knew they could depend on him to deliver with his unique combination of talent, courage and poise.
“Matt was a pivotal figure in so many of the Wallabies’ most famous triumphs and those of us playing with him at the time knew we were in the presence of greatness.
“That has now been confirmed with his induction into the Hall of Fame, where he will forever stand shoulder-to-shoulder with rugby’s giants.”
British and Irish Lions flanker Richard Hill will also go into the Hall of Fame, with two female players to be inducted in September.
“On behalf of the global rugby family, I would like to congratulate Matthew Burke and Richard Hill on their richly deserved inductions into the World Rugby Hall of Fame,” former Wallaby and World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said.
“Matthew was a match-winner for the Wallabies, composed, clinical, and dependable under pressure. His impact in key moments helped define one of the most successful eras in Australian rugby.
“The World Rugby Hall of Fame exists to honour the greats of our game – those whose legacy transcends results and statistics. Matthew and Richard have earned their place among rugby’s immortals, and we thank them for the extraordinary contribution they have made to rugby around the world. I also look forward to inducting two further female legends around the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final later this year.”
“The World Rugby Hall of Fame would like to celebrate the British and Irish Lions series in Australia and Women’s Rugby World Cup with our inductees for 2025,” John Eales, Chairman of the Hall of Fame panel and a Hall of Fame inductee, added.
“Matthew Burke was a picture of consistency in his career with standout performances against the best teams on the biggest stages. He was a lynchpin in some of the most successful Wallaby teams of all time.”
