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Burke becomes a Brit!

Thursday 08th February 2007

Something to smile about: Mathew Burke (left) and John Fletcher

Newcastle Falcons' full-back Matthew Burke has been granted British citizenship, thus allowing the former Australia international to play for his club with another foreign player on the field.

Burke, a Rugby World Cup winner with the Wallabies in 1999, cannot play for England - but with dual nationality status he no longer counts as a foreign player.

Guinness Premiership regulations stipulate clubs can only field one non-European Union qualified player at any time.

But Newcastle can now field both Burke, their captain, and New Zealand prop Joe McDonnell in the same team.

"The opportunity arose for me to help out the Falcons, who have been so good to me during my time over here, and with mum being born in England we decided to explore the options further," said Burke.

"Under English rugby rules only one foreign player can be on the field for a team at any one time, so having gone through the process now it gives the Falcons more options in terms of selecting their side each week."

Burke moved to Newcastle two-and-a-half years ago from the NSW Waratahs and lives in Gosforth with his wife Kate and two daughters.

"To go through such a lengthy and complicated bureaucratic process speaks volumes of Matt and the type of bloke he is," said Falcons coach John Fletcher.

"Him becoming a British citizen helps the club massively because it allows us to field both him and Joe McDonnell, two of our strongest players, at the same time.

Burke was presented with his new citizenship by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Diane Packham, at a ceremony in the city's Civic Centre.