Matthew Burke is the most capped Waratah of all time and the only man to have played 100 matches for NSW.When it comes to experience Burke is without peer in his state.
A points scoring Goliath, he has compiled more than a thousand points for his state and 866 for his country.
One of the world's greatest fullbacks since making his Test debut in 1993, Burke has shown no fear in taking on new positional challenges.
In 2002 he made a dazzling transition to outside centre for both the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
This year he volunteered for the demanding role of flyhalf when the Waratahs assembled for training in January, however, a shoulder injury derailed those aspirations.
Against the Blues in Auckland this year Burke produced a vinatge game at outside centre with smothering defence and personal haul of 12 points.
His experience shone through in following matches against the Hurricanes and Brumbies.
Burke's game was a complete Rugby performance against the ACT.
His goal kicking, defence and attack were key factors in the Waratahs' victory.
During that Brumbies clash Burke overtook Andrew Mehrtens as the highest points scorer in Super 12 history.
This year Burke stands down as skipper of NSW, a post he held for three seasons.
