Burke to take up centre stage
January 28, 2002

New South Wales captain Matthew Burke has been penciled in at outside centre for the Waratahs opening trial match of the year against New South Wales country on Saturday.

Burke has been listed at centre despite the fact that rugby league convert Mat Rogers will be unavailable this weekend due to Australian Sevens commitments in Brisbane.

It is believed that Rogers, who said he was keen to play five-eighth in union, has been earmarked to play fullback by coach Bob Dwyer.

Burke, fullback for Australia last season, is scheduled to play just the first half with Marc Stcherbina listed at outside centre for the second half.

Likewise Wallaby props Patricio Noriega and Rod Moore will have a half each with flanker Phil Waugh captaining the side in the second half.

Mark Gerrard has been named at fullback for both halves.

Burke's switch to centre also means promising youngster Luke Inman has been relegated to the 'B' team.

Australian Sevens representative Rogers and Ed Carter apart, the only other Waratah players missing Saturday night's trials will be Wallaby centre Nathan Grey and prop Matt Dunning.

Front rower Dunning hurt a heel at training while Grey was still feeling a neck injury he picked up on the Wallaby tour.

"Even though Nathan has been in a fair amount of contact in training today there are still some signs there, so we think there's no point in running a risk," Dwyer said.

"An extra week or fortnight won't do him any harm.

Dwyer added he expected both Grey and Dunning to return for at least one of their remaining trials against the Blues and Crusaders next month.

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