In the latest issue of Inside Sport – on sale now – Burke hails the recruitment of Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne...and insists his work is vital.

The former AFL ruckman famously holds the Hawthorn record for most behinds without a goal in a single game, but he's brought the technique of his kicking game to the Wallabies and rugby union.

And Burke – part of the dominant Wallabies side from the turn of the century – believes it's crucial players keep being pushed to improve.

"What we need to understand is that coaches need to coach and players need to be coached," he tells Inside Sport. "It doesn't matter what level.

"Even when you get to the top level, you're expected to do everything quite proficiently, but you still want to be able to grow your game.

"And that's where Mick comes in, to be able to add to that skill level that's already there."

On the eve of this weekend's Wallabies clash with South Africa in Pretoria, Burke, now a presenter with Channel Ten, hopes the skill level can increase in the tournament, but also find the killer touch to turn domination into wins.

"I remember a coach asking me years ago at the Waratahs: 'When's the last time you got coached? When's the last time you learned something? You're a skilful player but when do you add to that skill?'," revealed Burke.

"Hopefully that's what they do in the short term from this Rugby Championship."

But he added: "My biggest gripe is that the way they were playing the game in that England series was great – they just didn't get the points attributed to that.

"It's about playing smart. It's like a game of chess – you've got to put the people in the right spot.

"Our guys were hell-bent on running the ball on certain occasions where playing field position could have been a better option."

Read the full interview in the latest issue of Inside Sport where we turn the spotlight on finals fever and how the greats cope with the pressure of the big grand finals.

We also look at what it takes to clinch an AFL Premiership, and with Bathurst looming, we put the decline and fall of Holden Racing Team under the microscope.

All this and much more in the latest issue, available in newsagents now but you can get it delivered to your door first by clicking here.