Wallabies great Stephen Larkham and forwards coach Laurie Fisher have emerged as clear cut favourites to take over as Brumbies head coach following the shock resignation of Jake White.
The two assistant coaches have spent about a decade together at the Super Rugby club, dating back to Larkham’s playing days when Fisher was both assistant and head coach.
But the apprentice could soon become the master – and both have gone on the record saying they wouldn’t have a problem with that arrangement.
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan all but confirmed to ABC radio on Thursday that one of the two would fill the void following South African White’s shock decision to leave with two years remaining on his contract.
With 127 caps as a Brumbies player, World Cup-winning playmaker Larkham is the team’s attack coach while Fisher, who was head coach between 2005-08, has handled the forwards under White.
“We’ve got two head coaches in waiting, effectively, and I think it would be unlikely that we would go outside the group,” Fagan said.
“We’re not looking for change. We’re looking to continue to evolve what’s in place.”
Overlooked for the Wallabies head coach role in July in favour of Ewen McKenzie, a disappointed White decided his future lay back in Cape Town near his two sons.
It comes just two months after the World Cup winning coach guided the Brumbies to the grand final.
Fagan will join a sub-committee of up to five people to lock-in a new coach, and they might also look at recently sacked Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Yet Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said the playing group would be more than content for one of the two assistant coaches to get the nod.
“I would think between Bernie (Larkham) and Laurie that there’s more than enough experience and direction,” said Mowen, who’s in Cape Town for the Wallabies’ Test against South Africa on Saturday.
“It would be reasonably seamless for the group.”
White, who coached the Springboks to the World Cup in 2007, had confided in his captain over the past few weeks with the pair meeting in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Mowen initially hoped to convince him to stay on, but changed his mind.
As well as taking the Brumbies from competition easy-beats to Australian conference champions in his two seasons, White helped launch the Test careers of up to 12 players, including Mowen.
White has been linked to Cape Town-based Super Rugby side the Stormers, but it’s believed the Brumbies could block the move if they wish to do so due to a contract clause.
fernando marzano
Roar Rookie
I choose an I lean in favor of Stephen Larkham, all in Argentina admire this player, and as coach he will be extraordinary. In addition to Australian fans, they like well played rugby, I wonder who better than SL to run a good ofensive game . Let´s go STEPHEN! Fernando - Argentina
Bakkies
Guest
A lot of loose kicking that he did was down to the coaches tactics. They wanted the ball in play rather than have big packs maul from a lineout to win penalties.
Bakkies
Guest
Fisher had a good win ratio fell short in the bp department
Bakkies
Guest
It has a lot to do with it. If the team doesn't perform will Geoff end his son's contract? My other concern is that he has no real head coaching experience or worked fully as a coach outside of the Brumbies. The French are finding that out with giving jobs to the boys.
CHT
Guest
Bernie all day, as he is a rugby brain!
abc
Guest
Cooper will be the greatest flyhalf in years to come...a Legend of Legends
DingoBob
Guest
The Duke???? I can only assume you are joking. Geoff Didier doesn't even coach a local Club side. I also don't see what Geoff Larkhams position as Brumbies President has to do with selecting the best person for the job. He is not even on the panel that selects the new Coach and would not be involved in getting rid of the coach when/if it was to ever happen.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Larkham was good, however I would not rate him in the greatness area. He was better than any we have had to date.
Johnno
Guest
where are your stats on this. You do know the semi-final went into like double extra time, so he had ample time to make more tackles. And most teams at the 1999 world cup lacked the attacking ability to play creative running rugby, and get a backline going. Most of the 1999 world cup matches were in the wet. The final was wet, as was the semi-final, and the double overtime match was vs the Boks who played the grinding pick and roll game, and Jannie De Beers boot. Ireland game was also wet, and from memory in the Q/F vs wales was played with roof open too, and was very boggy. So the double-overtime game in the wet at twickhers, vs a grinding boks does your argument Mike. Misleading stats, like a flat track bully test batsmen, who makes big runs vs crap teams, and beefs his stats up.
Mike
Guest
He made more tackles than any other back at the 1999 World Cup.
Jerry
Guest
"I can see the reasoning behind Fisher being the coach but as posted he has had a chance at the top job and for whatever reason didn’t get there." That was his Gandalf the Grey era though. Management can bring him back for his Gandalf the White phase and triumph.
PM
Guest
Steve Larkahm was an exceptional 5/8 and fullback, to suggest otherwise is simply ridiculous and shows you dont have a clue or appreciation of talent. He has been our best 5/8 since Lynagh and the Wallabies have never ever had a 5/8 up yo his standard since he retired.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Are you kidding Mike? Larkham was a sublime passer and runner, but his kicking and defence were not top shelf. Plus, he lost the ball in contact too often.
Mike
Guest
No defence??? I'm assuming you are either trolling or blind.
Johnno
Guest
Larkham was overrated, no defence either wasn't much of a tackler, no vision, no tactical game, no kicking game, no acceleration, average passer nothing like Spencer was. Larkham was good runner if he saw a gap but that was about it. Give me Merthens and spencer,wilkinson any day over Larkham. Larkham is playing politics too, his dad is Brumbies President, is that a conflict of interest or what if he gets the brumbies head coach job.
Mick the Clown
Guest
My view is Larkham is a snake. He has been on the periphery and responsible for sacking 2x coaches mid season meaning he is way too close to the players, and untrustworthy to be so heavily involved in those coups. To me the best thing for Aus Rugby would be some stable leadership, not the player lead revolts that we have had of which Steve Larkham was one of the key players. He is a back, so does not understand forward play (always a danger) and in his playing days was a virtual non kicker, which speaks of the lack of vision he used to have.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I can see the reasoning behind Fisher being the coach but as posted he has had a chance at the top job and for whatever reason didn't get there. I could see the board floating the idea that the two coaches Fisher and Larkham do a joint coaching gig, like they ask captains to do at some clubs. If I had to select one of them to get the top job it would be Larkham, just for the reason that I have said above. I would suggest that the two blokes would not have a problem coaching side by side. Give them equal money and give them equal status and see if it works. After the first year you can sack one or the other if it doesn't work.
Johnno
Guest
Fisher is more mature, and experienced with high level rugby, compared to Larkham. You do know Fisher was a local club 1st grade rugby captain and won the local ACT comp division 1 in his playing days.
Cantab
Guest
But Fisher was head coach for...4 years and didn't get results, the year before he took over they came first, under his 4 years they didn't make the finals once and came 9th in his final year.
Johnno
Guest
It's gotta be Laurie Fisher. And it can't be steve Larkham, his Dad Geoff Larkham is Brumbies President. Would Geoff reisgn for steve, no chance. We've all seen what happen down at the raiders, with Don Furner and his brother being the head coach. Brumbies won't repeat that. It's gotta be Laurie or Geoff Didlier.