Matt Burke can finally put the autocue away.
After 11 years as a sports presenter for Channel 10, the much loved Wallabies great has signed on as a rugby expert for Stan Sport.
"And the great thing about commentating and being on a panel is you can give your opinion, right?" Burke tells Wide World of Sports.
Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, kicking off on February 14, with every match ad free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
Wallabies great Matt Burke. Stan
"My previous job, I read, that was it. And you don't get to make up the news, you know what I mean? So I'm really looking forward to expressing my opinion with Stan. It's the game I love and there's so many great talking points in rugby at the moment.
"Opinions can be polarising at times but I've got the knowledge and the passion and I can't wait to get started."
It is a bumper year for Australian rugby, with Super Rugby Pacific kicking off on Friday in Sydney.
Australia fullback Matt Burke shakes hands with Prime Minister John Howard. Getty
The British and Irish Lions tour and women's Rugby World Cup are huge highlights while Burke will also star on Between Two Posts.
"My aim is to connect with everyone that loves rugby and not just get stuck in the 'back in my day' trap," Burke explains.
"The game has evolved and people like Morgs (Turinui) and 'Goog' (Justin Harrison) do a great job of being analytical while still having loads of fun. The fundamentals are the same and I hope to bring some insight into what it's like to perform under intense pressure.
Wallabies great Matt Burke. Stan
"Everyone can see if a guy or girl drops a ball. But why have they dropped the ball? Were they running the wrong angle, were their shoulders turned in or was the pass dropping?
"That's the knowledge I can bring to the team."
Burke, who scored 878 points in 81 Tests and won the 1999 World Cup, finished his previous job on December 13.
Matt Burke speaks to media during a Rugby Australia media opportunity. Getty
"And my daughter that night said: 'Dad, you know you're not on air anymore?'
"And I said: 'Yes, sweetheart.' And she goes: 'Do you reckon we could shave your head?' And I went: 'Let's do it.'
"And then my wife walked out and went nuts! I needed plenty of sunscreen over Christmas. Aerodynamic."
Matt Burke, Ben Tune and Owen Finegan of Australia. Getty
BURKE ON HIS NEW STAN SPORT TEAMMATES
"I captained some of these guys! Tim Horan's hair hasn't moved for 35 years. Timmy's still fit and competitive and he brings that to all his media work as well. Morgs is the same size as when he played and 'Goog' is the same height.
"But you look around the crew and what they've done on the field – wow. They understand what to say in the big moments.
"People still remember Justin's lineout steal in the Lions series and T Horan bouncing off blokes in the World Cup final.
"History has a a great part to play in in evoking passion in rugby and inspiring the next generation. I really respect how the Stan team can explain the game – which is complicated – without talking to the viewers like dummies.
"As for Sean (Maloney) – he's enthusiasm personified. It's going to be a lot of fun."
HOW BURKE VIEWS THE CURRENT RUGBY LANDSCAPE…
"It's exciting and Joseph's (Suaalii) arrival has been incredible. I've got to know him through my connections with the Waratahs and he's a great kid.
"He's 21 but he's got an incredibly mature head on his shoulders. What he was able to achieve on Test debut against England was phenomenal. There was so much pressure on him to perform but he just went with the flow. Got some early touches, built up some confidence and then did some spectacular stuff in the air.
"The Spring Tour, two from four – I suppose that is a pass mark, just, but a poor performance against Scotland let them down.
"Certainly some signs of encouragement and growth."
BURKE ON WHAT POSITION SUAALII SHOULD PLAY…
"I'd like to see him at 13. Big body, get him in that front line. Easier to get a touch, easier to make a tackle.
"Get involved in the game early and calm the nerves. He was named at fullback for the trial game but you can be chasing the game at 15.
"A lot of different decisions to make on whether to run or kick and I feel at 13 he can just react and use his instincts.
"He looked good there on the Spring Tour, especially with how they used him against England. Take the game to the opposition.
"At fullback teams can strategically take him out of the game by kicking to corners. That happened a bit with Izzy (Folau) sometimes. Centre for me but wherever he is, he'll be a massive influence."
BURKE ON THE SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC SEASON…
"Sadly, the Rebels have folded but that has strengthened the other Aussie teams. The Waratahs in particular with the likes of (Taniela) Tupou, (Andrew) Kellaway and (Rob) Leota look good on paper.
"Queensland picked up a couple and are building under Les Kiss, the Brumbies are still strong under Bernie (Larkham).
"I expect the Force to be competitive as well, even against the Kiwi teams. It's still an incredibly tough competition."
All Black Christian Cullen on the run against the Springboks at Athletic Park in 1998. Getty
BURKE ON THE GREATEST FULLBACK OF HIS ERA…
"Christian Cullen was incredible. He had absolute jet shoes. Incredibly strong, five foot 10 but incredibly powerful and could change direction without throttling down.
"It looked like he wasn't motoring at all but he consistently put himself in spots where he could finish.
"His support lines, running at full tilt off guys like Eroni Clarke, you thought you had an angle on him and he'd just breeze past you.
"With Jonah (Lomu) outside him they had a pretty good time of it. He was an incredibly tough player. I also loved Serge Blanco and Roger Gould – they were two of my heroes."
Matt Burke collides with Christian Cullen at Jade Stadium, Christchurch. Getty
BURKE ON WHETHER HE OR CULLEN WAS BETTER…
"Oh, Matt Burke, I kicked goals! He scored tries and I kicked goals. One of my favourite memories was playing for the Barbarians with Cully, (Brian) O'Driscoll, (Carlos) Spencer and (Chris) Latham.
"The collective skills were just outstanding. I also have great memories of Jonah inviting me to play with him in his comeback match at Twickenham. I was the only Aussie and it was great to experience how much fun the Kiwis had when they played the game.
"I remember throwing the ball to Jonah in space and he was running straight at my Newcastle teammate Mathew Tait.
"Mat's eyes were popping out of his head and I remember thinking 'did I look that scared when Jonah was running at me?'
"I've had the privilege of playing with some of the game's greats. I've been very lucky."