“I chased it down and thought they would clean it up, but the bloke dived on it and let it go, so I got another couple of toes to it and somehow got it to about a metre away. I was hoping it would go over the line, but it didn’t, so I basically planted my face in the turf over the line, and luckily the ball followed.

“The Socceroos are in the World Cup this year, so maybe I’m in with a shout if I keep nice and tight with Harry Kewell!”

Reflecting on the helpful bounce of the ball which evaded winger Mike Maguire in his Worcester bow, the Aussie veteran added: “It was a bit fortuitous, I’ll admit that, but when you get them you have to take them, because you don’t get too many in a season.

“It’s part of the game I suppose, and it was the bloke’s debut today I understand. We tested him early on and a couple went down, so we thought let’s stick a few more on him, and fortunately we got a score.

“Games like that happen, and you always feel sorry for a bloke when he’s getting showered at half time having been substituted.”

After another deadly showing with the boot, including a penalty from inside his own half, Burke said: “At Kingston Park the wind always gives you a chance if you chuck it up there, although I still haven’t mastered the peculiarities of this wind after 18 months.

“Whenever I go kicking with Dave Walder his local knowledge does the trick, and I’ll say ‘Davey, what’s it doing today mate?’ and let him fill me in on the direction it’s blowing.

“It just means if you get a shot from 50 or so metres, you can have a crack and be confident that it has a chance, which luckily it did today.”

There was, however, one blot on the copybook with a wayward conversion, as Burke revealed: “The one I missed was actually a little bit to do with the fact that little ‘Bobby’ Grindal kneed me about 30 seconds beforehand, and I had a bit of a dead leg.

“It’s about the third time he’s done it this season, so I don’t know if I’ve done something to offend him or what!”

Playing over the Yuletide festivities proved unusual as mates back home were on the beach, with Burke stating: “I didn’t actually play during this time last year because of injury, but to play over Christmas and New Year is a whole new experience, especially when I read the papers back home and it’s 40 degrees in Sydney.”

Still a spritely presence on the field at 32 years of age, Burke also revealed the programme of rest which has added longevity to his playing career, saying: “There was a fella called Terry Lamb who used to play rugby league for the Canterbury Bulldogs, and basically his programme was don’t train during the week, just turn up on Saturday and play.

“I think I’m on the Terry Lamb programme at the moment, so you might see me sitting in the stands with a nice cup of tea some days when the lads are out training, but it seems to be working because I feel great and I’m happy with my rugby.”

And with the future in mind, the players’ player of the season added: “My contract is up at the end of this season, and there is the option there of another year within that contract.

“That’s a family decision and not just something I can decide by myself, so I’ll have to sit down with my wife to see what we think is best.

“Things are going great in Newcastle, I love the city and the club. I’m enjoying my rugby and the Geordies have made me feel really welcome.

“I’m in the best job in the world right now, and the Falcons certainly seem keen for me to stay, which I’m very happy about. It’s just one of those things where family plays a big part, and we have plenty of time yet to sit down and talk it through properly.”