Gerrard gets Burke's backing

Editor

Former Wallaby stalwart Matt Burke his given Mark Gerrard his vote to become Australia's first choice full-back.

Former Wallaby stalwart Matt Burke his given Mark Gerrard his vote to become Australia's first choice full-back.

Burke, who is Australia's most capped full-back, believes Gerrand should be the man to replace the injured Chris Latham in the Wallaby number fifteen jersey after having an excellent season in an inexperienced Brumbies back-line.

With Latham's international career over, Burke is of the opinion that the Brumbies full-back should be given the nod ahead of the Western Force's Cameron Shepherd, who received Latham's backing for the job after learning his test career was over due a torn pectoral muscle.

Gerrard has played 23 Tests for Wallabies, but has never started at full-back and outgoing Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher has indicated that he needs to improve his consistency to be considered a candidate for the role as the Wallabies' back-door man in the long-term.

Shepherd replaced Gerrard, who is two years his senior, in the Wallabies 30-man squad at the Rugby World Cup last September when the Brumbies utility ruptured knee ligaments in his first visit to Rugby's showpiece.

But Burke, who has 81 caps to his name and is currently playing for Newcastle in the Guinness Premiership in England, feels that 25-year-old Gerrard's form in the Super 14 shows he is ready to make a full conversion from the wing.

“I think you've got to give it to Mark Gerrard,” Burke told the AAP.

“He's the one who's been stepping up in the Brumbies backline this year.

“He's been able to lead their young blokes around.

“He's got a strong boot, good footwork and a good step so he should be the first one chosen,” added the 35-year-old.

Burke also felt young Waratahs speedster Lachlan Turner was a full-back of the future, but would only realise his potential when the Waratahs gave him full responsibility for the position he's shared this season.

The Former Wallabies legend hoped incoming Wallabies coach Robbie Deans would select a blend of youth and experience for their 2008 international campaign.

“You're going to be playing against teams like New Zealand and South Africa, and France and Ireland are coming out, these are intimidating teams,” said Burke.

“You can't choose a team that is too fresh. They get mentally tired and beaten up.

“You have to partner them with older guys. [But] when you have a new coach and talent coming through it would be sad not to use that talent,” added the Wallaby legend.

Burke was also full of praise for the career of Latham who was for many seasons his competition for the Wallaby full-back berth.

“He was able to produce things that were out of the ordinary,” Burke said.

“He got Australia out of trouble a numerous amount of times.”