MELBOURNE, Nov 1 - Former Rugby World Cup-winning Wallaby back Matt Burke is risking the wrath, and ridicule, of his former Australia team mates and supporters by applying for British residency.

The 33-year-old, who kicked 25 points when Australia beat France in the 1999 World Cup final in Cardiff, is seeking residency through his British-born mother so English club side Newcastle can field the 81-times capped fullback and another overseas player.

Regulations in the English Premiership allow only one foreign player in a side at any one time outside of autumn tours and Six Nations schedules, and Burke has applied to the U.K. Home Office to change his status to boost the Falcons' selection options.

"I'm waiting for the flood of emails from Australia calling me a traitor," Burke said on Newcastle's official Web site.

"I spoke about it with (then Newcastle coach) Rob Andrew last year, when he was still with the Falcons, and my feeling was that the club had been extremely good to me, so this is one small way in which I can repay them."

"NO POM"

Burke, the fifth-highest test scorer with 878 points when he retired from internationals in 2004, said the application had been made some time ago and would allow Newcastle to pick himself and the likes of new All Black signing Joe McDonnell.

"We explored the option, and with my mother Maureen being born in London my qualifying for British residency has helped the club out and meant they could go and recruit Joe, who will be a fantastic addition to the squad.

"It means I become a local, donned in the flag of St George -- or maybe not," joked the Falcons skipper.

"I still know who I'll be supporting in the Ashes cricket, don't worry about that, but the wheels are in motion with the relevant authorities and I just see it as helping the club out. It doesn't mean I'll be a Pom, it's just paperwork."

Burke, the fourth highest Wallaby tryscorer in history, joined Newcastle in 2005 and was named the club's player of the year in his debut season. He is contracted to the club until 2008.