Career in The United Kingdom
After losing his NSW contract, Burke was offered contracts by eight different clubs - including the Queensland Reds and teams in New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, France and England.
He played in the United Kingdom for the Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership.
has also won the 'Player of the Year' at the Falcons and was also named as captain of the side.
In February 2007, he obtained a British passport (while retaining Australian citizenship), qualifying through his England-born mother. His main reason for doing so was Guinness Premiership regulations prohibiting teams from having more than one non-EU citizen on the field at any time. This enabled the Falcons to play him at the same time as New Zealand prop Joe McDonnell.
Read more about this topic: Matt Burke
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