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Opinion

Anything was possible with Stephen Larkham

9th June, 2022
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(Photo by Gary Prior /Allsport/ Getty Images)
Roar Guru
9th June, 2022
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1814 Reads

The word ‘genius’ refers to exceptional talent or skill, something beyond the norm. That aptly describes former Wallaby fly-half Stephen Larkham.

His skill level and his ability to produce the unexpected were what made him arguably Australia’s greatest fly-half.

Anything was possible with Larkham and his collection of sublime feats were legendary.

The 1999 Rugby World Cup drop goal for starters has been written into rugby folklore.

Even more impressive when you consider he was playing on a badly injured leg and his eyesight was so poor, he sought laser surgery to rectify his vision after 1999. Not one of his fellow Wallabies had landed a drop goal at Test level.

Larkham’s outrageous try for the ACT Brumbies versus the Blues in 2004 must be seen to be believed. Following a chip kick into the Blues in goal area, Larkham launches himself over Doug Howlett in a spectacular leap, secures the ball and falls from a great height to the ground for an uncommon try.

When the All Blacks were leading the Wallabies 24-0 in the ‘Greatest Game Ever’ in 2000, it was Larkham who triggered the fightback from the Wallabies to almost win an incredible match.

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His forte was to attack the defensive line and send flat, lengthy passes to his outside backs, add in a dummy and this is exactly what Larkham did to set up a try for Stirling Mortlock.

Larkham also achieved the rare feat in a Test match of charging down the attempted conversion of Christian Cullen’s try against the Wallabies in 1998. It showed his mental and physical ability to never give up and it probably had a profound impact on his teammates will to win.

Stephen Larkham was born in 1974 in Canberra, ACT Australia and attended Lyneham High and the Australia National University.

He first came to rugby prominence when he was named in the Brumbies squad in 1996, after being pulled out of reserve grade club rugby.

National selection came when he impressed the selectors with limited games for the Brumbies. He gained Test status after replacing Ben Tune in the match against Wales in 1996. A European tour followed and in 1997 he came on as a replacement against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Stephen Larkham against South Africa

Stephen Larkham against South Africa in the semi-final of the 1999 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by Ross Setford/Getty Images)

Larkham played fullback for the Wallabies from 1996 to 1997 and in an enterprising coaching move, Rod MacQueen selected Larkham as fly-half, where he stayed from 1997 to 2007.

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His wearing of head gear appeared to come with his move to fly-half, maybe a more informed reader will know the full answer to that.

His change in positions created controversy with critics questioning his tactical kicking ability. Larkham’s ghosting runs, attacking ability and vision turned around opinions.

Highlights of his career included the 1999, 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups, but injuries had an impact on his appearances. His lithe build did not inhibit his defensive ability however.

One of the major features of Stephen Larkham’s career was his longstanding combination with George Gregan as a half-back fly-half combination.

Arguably the two most important positions on the rugby field. They were both foundation players for the Brumbies, crossed over from amateur era to professionalism and when they retired were the most capped Wallabies.

Stephen Larkham’s international career ended when Australia were knocked out of the 2007 World Cup, but in 2008 he signed a three-year deal with Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams. The end of his international career possibly coincided with the gradual decline in Australia’s rugby fortunes.

The Japan move was shortened to two years to enable him to return to the Brumbies as assistant coach, a full-time position followed and he was also appointed the attack coach for the Wallabies in 2015. However, in 2019 he was controversially dumped by Michael Cheika and decided to join Irish club Munster as senior coach.

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The favourite son will return to the Brumbies in July 2022 and will be head coach for the 2023-2024 seasons.
Larkham was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2012 and also the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2018.

Nicknamed ‘Bernie’ for his quiet nature after the character in the movie Weekend at Bernie’s, he let his rugby do the talking.

 

People often rate a player on how they perform at the end of their career, without considering what was achieved throughout. It is rare for a player to be entirely brilliant throughout their time. How many players end on a spectacularly high note?

A player’s experience rather than form brilliance is often a criteria for selection. Some have said Larkham held on too long but what is a player to do?

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Mark Ella would appear to be one of the few to make the brave move to leave early. Especially now in the professional era players will extend their careers if there is no better alternative career option.

Larkham should be viewed as to what he achieved in his whole career, three world cups are a fantastic achievement and he should be heralded for that.

With Stephen Larkham anything was possible on the rugby field. He is also one of my favourite Wallabies.

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