Burke not ruling out Aussie return
Former Australia full-back and current Newcastle captain Matt Burke has not ruled out a return to the international arena for this year’s Rugby World Cup.
The 34-year-old has not played a Test match since 2004, but his name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for the injured Chris Latham, who is out for the year with a knee injury.
Burke, who has played 81 tests, declined an offer from Wallabies coach John Connolly to resume his international career earlier this season, but a recent knee injury to Latham’s likely replacement Cameron Shepherd has increased the clamour for his return.
Burke told Australia’s Daily Telegraph: “You never say never, that is the biggest thing. You question can you play for Australia, could you play for Australia?
“Maybe I could, maybe I couldn’t. But I think the biggest thing is I don’t really have to make that decision as of yet.
“First and foremost I need a rest myself just to get over what has been a pretty long year for me and the team.”
But while he did not rule it out, Burke admitted a return to the international fold was unlikely, claiming there were plenty of players in the Super 14 who could stand in for Latham.
“In essence I’m not really eligible to play for Australia because I’m not part of the Super 14 teams, so there are plenty of things that have to go on before I could even think about playing,” he added.
“There is plenty of talent there, that’s for sure, I think perhaps they should be looking inwards firstly rather than outwards.”
