He went on to make the New Zealand under-20s squad in 2018-2019.
The multi-talented son of Julie and LeaderBrand chief executive Richard Burke was an outstanding footballer and surf lifesaver with the Midway club.
He even had a match-winning hand in the only game of cricket he played while at Gis Int — 22 runs, two wickets and a one-handed catch in the slips.
After a pre-season camp in 2017, Crusaders Academy manager Aaron Webb sounded out the first 15 stand-out as to his rugby future.
Fergus gave the Crusaders the nod because of the quality of its development programme and record of producing top players— 10 of the 36 in this year’s All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship are Crusaders.
Burke, with 39 caps (including 19 starts) for the Crusaders, has scored 118 points (eight tries, 30 conversions, six penalty goals) over 31 wins and eight losses.
He has played at first-five and fullback.
He was the leading points-scorer overall (147 points) playing for Canterbury in the 2022 National Provincial Championship — Wellington beating Canterbury 26-18 in the final.
In his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2020, Burke scored a last-minute try off the bench in a 49-14 win against Japanese franchise the Sunwolves.
In this year’s Super Rugby Pacific, he scored tries against the Highlanders (52-15 win, Round 2); the Blues (34-28 win, R4); the Chiefs (34-24 win, R10); Moana Pasifika (41-7 win, R13) along with converting four from six tries; and the Waratahs (42-18, R14).
He also scored a try at home in the semifinal as the Crusaders squashed the Blues 52-15.
Burke played seven minutes off the bench at fullback in the final — a 25-20 win over the Chiefs at Hamilton which clinched the black and reds a seventh straight title and 12th championship since the inception of Super Rugby.
He has learned plenty from the experience.
“Defence is one of my strengths. I’m big for a first-five (1.88 metres, 95 kilograms) and my running game has developed a lot in the last 12 months.
“Getting time at fullback this season helped with that.
“Fitness is important. We train as a team on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. “We gym Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“The coaches drive our sessions but we have time after those to work on individual skills.
“I’ve grown in confidence in all areas, including option-taking and decision-making on the field. This was my fourth season of Super Rugby and I’ve gained in confidence every year.
“The games are fast and physical — especially against the New Zealand teams because of the way they defend compared to the Australian teams.
“Our teams focus on line speed while their sides are happier to connect and go lateral, use the sideline.
“When I played at fullback, I was nervous for the first game — having never played at 15 in my life — but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It was really good for my development to see the game from a different perspective — communicating, covering kick space and the back field. At fullback, you’re the number two or three receiver, instead of first receiver.”
Burke is enjoying a break between seasons but is keeping fit “so that when we get back together for Canterbury, I’m fresh and ready to go”.
He has matured as a player although leadership traits were seen in him many years ago.
Teacher Nic Somerton recalled Burke demonstrating an ability to act as a mentor during his time at Makauri:
“Fergus was great at helping younger students. He actually encouraged my, Jimmy (the five years old) around our course in his first school cross-country.”
Former Gisborne Intermediate principal Glen Udall, who played for New Zealand Universities, also remembers Burke well.
“He was an exceptional footballer and a natural athlete, was selected for both the football and rugby teams who played against Whakatane in our annual exchanges, ultimate frisbee . . . he did a lot.”
Burke was highly regarded by his peers and staff for the way he conducted himself inside and outside the classroom.
He and older sister Georgia (Gis Int Girls’ Sportsperson of the Year in 2010) were driven.
They were well supported at home, and their parents were proactive within the school community — academically, culturally and at sporting events.”
The Burke household was an active one.
“From a young age both the kids played a lot of sport,” Richard said.
“Ferg never liked watching TV. He was always kicking or throwing a ball, a doer who’d turn his hand to any game that’s about. That’s the type of kid he was.
“When Fergus went to St Paul’s, the group he was in were big on rugby. The timing was just right for him to take the game up.
“Georgia and Fergus used to get up at 6am, swim for Enterprise (swim team) and swim after school,” Julie said.
“In Gisborne, kids can play every sport, and our kids had every opportunity to do the same.”
That choice and quality of experience has been a factor in opening doors for a Crusader showing the smarts, skill and hunger to reach even greater heights.
