~ World Rugby has announced that Matthew Burke and Richard Hill will be the first of four players inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2025 with their induction to take place ahead of the final test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions in Sydney on 2 August.
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 31.07.2025) :: World Rugby has announced that four players will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2025, the first two of them at the final test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions in Sydney on 2 August.
The contributions of former Wallaby full-back Matthew Burke and England and British and Irish Lions flanker Richard Hill will be celebrated at a special event in Sydney, with two female players then inducted during Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England, at the Women’s Summit on 26 September.
Both players tasted victory in a Lions series, Burke kicking five penalties among a 19-point haul to clinch victory in the third and decisive test of the 2001 tour in his native Sydney. Hill was part of that beaten Lions pride in Australia, four years after helping the tourists claim a series victory in South Africa.
Burke is one of Australia’s greatest ever full-backs who combined pace, a strong defence, safe hands and an excellent kicking game, while Hill was part of England’s much-vaunted loose trio under Clive Woodward who helped secure Rugby World Cup glory on Australian soil in 2003.
The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those that have made an outstanding contribution to the game of rugby throughout their careers, while also demonstrating rugby’s character-building values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect.
This year’s four inductees will bring the total in the Hall of Fame to 175 since it began in 2006.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “On behalf of the global rugby family, I would like to congratulate Matthew Burke and Richard Hill on their richly deserved inductions into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Matthew was a match-winner for the Wallabies, composed, clinical, and dependable under pressure. His impact in key moments helped define one of the most successful eras in Australian rugby. Richard was the engine room of the England back row, selfless, tough, and tactically sharp. He was a cornerstone of England’s Rugby World Cup-winning side, a great British and Irish Lion and a leader by example throughout his career.
“The World Rugby Hall of Fame exists to honour the greats of our game – those whose legacy transcends results and statistics. Matthew and Richard have earned their place among rugby’s immortals, and we thank them for the extraordinary contribution they have made to rugby around the world. I also look forward to inducting two further female legends around the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final later this year.”
John Eales, Chairman of the Hall of Fame panel and a Hall of Fame inductee, said: “The World Rugby Hall of Fame would like to celebrate the British and Irish Lions series in Australia and Women’s Rugby World Cup with our inductees for 2025. As a result, our four inductees include two players, to be inducted in August, who have participated in previous Lions’ series, and later this year we will also reveal two outstanding females to be inducted at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
“Richard Hill and Matthew Burke have both been standout players on the international stage. Richard is consistently acknowledged by his peers as one of the most important cogs in the successful English teams of the late 90s and early 2000s, whilst also being a star for the British and Irish Lions across three series.
“Matthew Burke was a picture of consistency in his career with standout performances against the best teams on the biggest stages. He was a lynchpin in some of the most successful Wallaby teams of all time. Both men remain positive and influential figures off the field and represent the spirit and values of rugby in the highest capacity.”
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