Former Wallaby Marty Roebuck opens up on mentoring inspirational Bunny Braidon Burns

Inspirational Rabbitoh Braidon Burns outed Wallabies World Cup winner Marty Roebuck as the man “who became like my father figure” when his own dad was missing. Roebuck has opened up on their special relationship.

Braidon Burns and the Roebuck family.

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If Marty Roebuck ever gets chased for a quote these days, it’s usually as a World Cup winner with the Wallabies.

Or NSW Rugby president.

Hell, the old fullback even made headlines recently for an incredible career switch that, not so long ago, saw him ditch 20 years of physiotherapy to chase a medical degree — the same one now hanging in his bush practice out west in Cowra.

Which is where The Saturday Telegraph on Friday tracked down the 54-year-old MD, keen to quiz him on the remarkable NRL yarn that is South Sydney’s Braidon Burns.

Braidon Burns and the Roebuck family.

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For when revealing his inspirational backstory this week, Burns outed Roebuck as the man “who became like my father figure” when his own dad was missing, drugged up or doing time for armed robbery.

Raised rough in the NSW country town of Coonamble, the young indigenous teen eventually arrived at St Stanislaus’ College, Bathurst, in Year 11 — where he quickly developed a friendship with Brae Roebuck, son of the 1991 World Cup winner and wife Su.

Yet while Burns praises the Roebucks for “opening my eyes to how people lived”, the retired Wallaby insists it was the kid who did much of the teaching.

“If anything, we were drawn to Braidon,” Roebuck recalls. “Just his positivity. His energy and belief.

Souths rising star Burns and his family and friends at a school formal. Picture: Instagram @braidonburnsss

“We loved being around him.”

Recounting his story this week, Burns had a host of anecdotes about the fella with 23 Test caps. Like before one school interview, when Roebuck hauled him into a bathroom, handed him a razor and demanded he shave.

Burns also suggested the retired rugby favourite was the first person to really set him rules and structure — explaining how when he and Brae were signed out from school on weekends, it was on the proviso they hung out as a family eating pizzas and watching footy on TV.

Yet according to the doctor, it was his family who gravitated towards the schoolboy, a kid who not much earlier had found mum overdosed outside his Coonamble home.

Burns has kept in touch with the Roebuck family since pursuing his NRL career.

“Like any parent, you’re interest in your children’s lives and the people in them,” Roebuck said. “You want to see them supported by positive people.

“And that’s certainly Braidon.

“I've always thought he was a great influence on my children. He’s taught them a lot about self-belief. About positivity.

“So we sought out his company … it wasn’t the other way around.”

On Facebook this week, Burns’s aunt Bronwyn also praised the footballer saying: “I’m glad my nephew is speaking out.

Burns has had a stellar start to 2019. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“Just goes to show how proud we are of you Braidon … you chose a better path to take. “What an inspiration to all your little cousins and the other kids.”

Roebuck agreed.

“Undoubtedly, Braidon has managed a lot of issues and responsibilities,” he said.

“And to have the focus he does in such an intense environment, it speaks volumes.”

And as for any regrets about him not joining your beloved Waratahs?

“Oh, absolutely not,” the old Wallaby said, laughing. “I just want him doing what he loves … and undoubtedly that’s playing rugby league.”

Originally published as Former Wallaby Marty Roebuck opens up on mentoring inspirational Bunny Braidon Burns