When Matthew Burke decided three years ago to export his immense rugby talents after a grand career as a Wallaby superstar, English premiership club Newcastle Falcons moved quickly to secure his gilt-edged services.

And Burke has repaid the Falcons big time since his arrival in late 2004. He was named the club's Player of the Year for 2005-2006 and in the season just completed was given the honour of team captain.

When he presented Burke with the Player of the Year award last year, the club's then Director of Rugby Rob Andrew - now the Rugby Football Union's Director of Elite Rugby - heaped lavish praise on the former Wallabies great.

"Burkey has been absolutely sensational yet again for us and full deserves his award," said the former England five-eighth Andrew, a prolific points scorer himself in his day. "He is a class act on and off the field, a great role model for young sportsmen and we are lucky to have him around here for the next two seasons".

Burke established himself as one of Australia’s most accomplished backs during an 11 season international career (1993-2004) which saw him represent his country with aplomb in three positions: fullback, wing and outside centre.

A triple World Cupper (1995, 1999 and 2003), Matthew Burke is right up there with the game’s legendary match winners.

His 81 Test appearances in Wallaby Gold – the last against South Africa in August 2004 - netted him 878 points from 29 tries, 174 penalty goals, 104 conversions and one field goal.

Wearing the sky blue of the NSW Waratahs, Burke’s tally from 115 appearances resulted in 1,171 points from 36 tries, 206 penalty goals, 185 conversions and a field goal, making him the state’s highest all time points scorer.

During his last season in Australian rugby (2004), he became the overall leading points scorer in the Super 12 competition with 959 points, overhauling the previous mark established by All Black Andrew Mehrtens.

Matthew Burke’s great value to Australian rugby was never more dramatically illustrated than in the 1999 World Cup final in Cardiff when his unerring right boot provided 25 points in Australia’s 37-12 eclipse of France.

Rated in 1999 by a panel of experts as the best Australian and NSW Waratahs fullback in the code’s history and a unanimous choice as the best Wallabies fullback in the “Team of the Decade” (1995-2005), the former Australian Schoolboys and Australian Under 21 star became Australia’s first choice for the No. 15 jersey during the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.

Burke holds numerous international and Australian points scoring records, including most points in Tests in a calendar year (189 points in 11 Tests), in a Test series overseas (74 points in four Tests) and against New Zealand (176 points in 17 Tests), South Africa (142 points in 17 Tests), Wales (84 points in five Tests) and the British and Irish Lions (44 points in three Tests).

His other records include most points in a single Test match against the British Lions, France and Scotland (25 points apiece) and New Zealand (24 points) and most penalty goals in a Test against South Africa (eight), New Zealand and Wales (both seven) and the British and Irish Lions (six).