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.
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 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.
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.
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?
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.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Greeting, JN, and apologies. I have only now checked back and seen your reply. Yes, Serge Blanco for sure, and Keith Wood. Have just picked up the report on The42 on the CT game. Looks like Ulster should have kicked their penalty chances. Will be interested to see replay of the game. I watched bits of the Leinster Bulls game. Bulls really impressive in the forwards....superb organisation all round, but especially close to the line. Well, Sam Warburton and others may be wailing about the SA teams coming north, but I welcome it, but sad they are gone from our arena of AU/NZ/P.Islands. To come to Dublin and win is just damn impressive. And Harry was right...Stormers don't lose often in CT.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The ghost! Yes, The two best I’ve seen in gold were M Ella and Larkham. (BBBB, best in black). SL would not look like he was trying. Did his calm running style disarm defences? Dunno. But at the time he was the answer to the prayer for another Ella after his early retirement. The next answer, for mine, was a young fella from Tokorua via South Brisbane (All together now/ Where’s Tokorua? In Queensland) who had arguably even more tricks (and less ghosting). Larkham was the 10 through Australian rugbys most glorious period (so far). Well played Steve. Thank you Peter.
Dean
Roar Rookie
How good were his skidding worm burners?! Those kicks were nigh impossible for the defenders to take/catch.
Dustin Cleverley
Guest
100% agree. Larkham and Kenny are my two favourite players from both codes. I started watching Kenny back in the glory days of the Eels and the Kangaroo tours of GB. While this may upset many QLDers, his skills and natural ability, especially in attack, left Lewis for dead. It's a bit like the George Smith vs McCaw argument; Smith was CLEARLY the superior player, in almost every facet of play he was faultless. McCaw had heart, and he was a great leader, but the best flanker? Just no. And Larkham? The greatest Aussie fly-half hands-down. I've been a Brumbies fan since their inaugural year and had the pleasure of watching Larkham most weekends. The crowd would stand up every time he touched the ball. The glory days.
Megeng
Roar Rookie
Agreed. I used to love watching him make space with his gliding running and then the great offload. The impressive thing was how easy he made it look. Smooth is how I describe it.
DJ
Roar Rookie
Brilliant player. He seemed to have all the time in the world. I remember watching him coming back from injury playing for his club Wests in Canberra - that time seemed to be amplified.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Nice write-up Peter. Yes, Bernie was an absolute great. Not many players have a grandstand named after them but Larkham and his mate George Gregan have in Canberra. That's saying something.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Oh and I wud add Keith Wood for Ireland . Geez I rated that guy .
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I thought about that too :thumbup: Carter and Wilkinson played behind dominant packs . Larkham and Porta did not . That surely comes into the equation.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Hi MK , I was hoping someone would bring up a few more . For France , Rives was a human blood bin , Surely Serge Blanco . My post was getting too long . The Stormers /Ulster match is going to be a cracker . Unfortunately the SA govt still have a 50% crowd capacity restriction but like Loftus last week they are all going to be jammed in lower level so technically its 100% full bottom tier . So much for social distancing :laughing: The illogicality of governments :unhappy: . not aware of any free to air options . Doubt it very much . I’m a bit concerned though that if both SA teams pull through it will be an all SA final . Already with our teams dominating latter half of the URC many in Europe ( Sam Warburton one example) crying we don’t belong in a European competition . That’ll get worse . Bloody colonizers . They’ll never change . :silly:
Markus
Roar Rookie
His tactical/general play kicking game was lacking early on but was world class by the end of his career. And while it is not an absolute necessity for a flyhalf, that he was not a goal kicker in a position that utterly dominates the career Test point scorers list (all of the top 10, and 12 of the top 15) would be a mark against.
Dean
Roar Rookie
I think of Dan Carter as the most complete and consistent #10 I have seen play our wonderful sport, that’s what I’m referring to. Larkham wasn’t exactly a great goal kicker like Carter, Wilkinson, Fox or Lynagh, that said, I’m still picking him for my team. I’ll run Carter from the bench. Larkham is “my” greatest 10 m, though.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
The opposition players that the Kiwis hate are the ones to watch out for!! Bit like the Aussies opinion of Richard Hadlee, Sean Fitzpatrick and McCaw.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Great question. I would personally go with Barry John for the impact he had on the 1971 series against the All Blacks. He was the dominant, defining force and his round the corner kicking style was a revelation. Carter played many good games, but really only 1 "great" game?? Hugo Porta is another, imagine him in a dominant side? Tremendous player.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
If not the greatest, what was he lacking? Just a question.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
How do you compare him with Dan Carter?
Tooly
Roar Rookie
He was all of that and more . He played with Gregan behind the best pack we have ever had in Australia at the Brumbies and the Wallabies. Great players all around him.
Jaydos
Roar Rookie
I moved from Melbourne to Wellington as a 13yo in 1997 w family. I only knew Aussie Rules and Cricket, religiously. As an Aussie in NZ (and as a teen), life at school wasn’t easy to begin with. But when the Brumbies or Wallabies played, it was easy to stand up straight and Larkham was a key reason. Watching him slice through the line still, 20 years later, is a highlight and the kiwis deeply respected him as a fearful opponent. Imagine if we wasn’t playing with a 5kg sweater on. Here is hoping for the next Australian version of this legend. Thanks for the enjoyable walk down memory lane!
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Thanks for this read, Peter. Stephen Larkham def. one of our WB greats. Hope his coaching career upticks with the return to Canberra....but just not against Qld :happy: By all accounts the players at Munster like and highly respect him.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
I'll throw in a few more for fun, JN. Scotland would be Gavin Hastings, Gordon Brown. Wales pretty clearly Gareth Edwards and Barry John/Phil Bennett, Ireland would be Willie John McBride, Brian O'Driscoll, France would go for Jean Pierre Rives, Jo Maso. And Argentina would be Hugo Porta...give me a second one..bit of memory fade. Stormers taking on Ulster down your way this weekend, JN. Could/should be a cracker. Weather looks good for CT winter. Actually probably what Ulster now prefer, give how they play the game. Looks like the only option to see it live is pay TV. Any SA free to air options ?