At some point in 1997, Wallabies’ head coach Rod Macqueen made the decision to move Stephen Larkham from fullback to fly half.
That decision was seen by many as reckless and preposterous – an experiment that surely wouldn’t last long. But it did and two years later Larkham won the World Cup in No.10 jersey.
A couple of weeks back Harry Jones’ article (Killer instinct and precision: Which young star is poised to become Australia’s long term No.10?) set the competitive bar high with Ireland’s Jonny Sexton, and then ran the rule over the incumbents (Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, James O’Connor).
Finding nothing there, he did the same for the pretenders (Noah Lolesio, Carter Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Tom Lynagh, Ben Donaldson, and Tane Edmed). There he settled on Edmed and Lynagh as our best bets for a ‘Sexton-like’ No.10. For numerous reasons the logic of picking those two seemed rather tortured, and that, mostly because the question he’d posed was rhetorical.
A more objective question would be similar to the one Macqueen asked himself (and his staff) in 1997, ‘Who have we got right now, who has a demonstrated skill-set, demonstrates seasoned rugby nous, is fearless and hungry, and has the physical assets (real speed, good hands, enough mass to take and give a hit in defense, etc), that might be worth looking at as a flyhalf?’
Their answer was Larkham, despite reservations about his kicking.
Stephen Larkham. (Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)
The Brumbies v Drua match over the weekend was a revelation. Ben O’Donnell is the real deal. If Eddie Jones is really asking questions, and willing to take a punt, he should bring O’Donnell into the WC training squad and run him as a fly-half. Yes, as a No.10.
He’s taller than Sexton (if that matters), has moves and is surely one of the fastest players in Australia. Would he pass the ball? Yes! Would he run the ball? Yes! Is his kicking any good? Who knows, but he’s a real athlete so it’s worth a look. Would he choke on the international stage? No, he’s a seasoned big tournament Aussie Sevens campaigner.
Someone is going to ask, ‘so why does he play on the wing and not flyhalf already?’ There are at least three answers: he’s really fast; because he’s fast and that’s where the fastest guys are almost always played; and, in 7s roles are very fluid so it’s unlikely that anyone has given much thought to anything but his pure speed.
Wouldn’t it be nice to once again, have a No.10 who would always be a strike threat when taking the ball to the line … and didn’t need someone else to step in for him on defence?
Does history repeat itself? Perhaps with some thoughtful intervention. Eddie you’ve got nothing to lose here, but then there is the WC and you haven’t got a No.10 yet.
Lomax
Roar Rookie
Try Andrew Kellaway at no.10 - was great at schoolboy level and has great ‘rugby smarts’ .
Anonymous_
Roar Rookie
What a ridiculous article, have you not been watch Carter Gordons performances? Him and Wilkin between them make the Rebel Rabble competitive...he actually makes Hodge look like a strike centre. Gordon is a dead set a Larkham clone!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep it makes some ‘ roar ‘ Ken. Lol ????
Memories of old Ballymore
Roar Rookie
What about Kellaway Matured now and tough Great perspective and intuitive awareness Got the ego knocked out of him Skills beyond others
rusty
Roar Rookie
Yes he does step in well at first receiver from fullback. But I prefer him as a fullback and probably the best natural fullback we have. Can't believe he will be overlooked. Even has had Matt Burke approval.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
He (O'Donnell) looked good against some sluggish and loose Drua defence. Let's see how he goes against more defensively focussed sides before we start touting his merits as a 10. The Roar is increasingly become a dream site.
Christy Doran
Editor
Good read mate. Ageeed. Talented player. Can play anywhere. You’d love to see him get more chances next year closer to the action. Tough mid-year, in a World Cup year no less.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Roache is quite electric. Versatile too playing scrum half, fly half and even wing given 7s injury list.
Cec
Roar Rookie
That could have been the motivation needed. All his playing career to that point perhaps he was reading too much of his own press. Who knows?
MalBreakaway
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
The first time I laid eyes on Jim was in HK at the 7's. He was making a name as an outside centre, although I don't say he wasn't ever a winger, but had plateaued. He occasionally dominated games there for the Rats but not often enough to demand any higher honours. The shift to 8 changed everybody's view and his involvements matched his skill and physicality that was always there. He was picked up by the Brums from the Rats and then, in a beautifully timed run, played 14 tests and won a world cup. Talent, skill, and effort are always prerequisites for success but luck certainly plays a part. Compare Jim's timing to another great Wallaby 8, Tim Gavin, who was the world's best but then injured before 1991 and thus missed a WC medal. Troy Coker the one with the little bit of luck that time.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
It's crazy as I could imagine he would get a start at 2 other clubs - reds and force. Madness as he is actually quite decent. But as you say...we have to cater for the most overrated 10 ever seen.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ QC v2 found his ability to not over play “ despite a couple of coaches telling him to not play at all.
Frankly
Roar Rookie
He is definitely a tall Brumby
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Actually Jim Williams started as a 14.
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
Interesting,but as I scrolled down waiting to see who you were going to pick,fully expecting Tom Wrights' name to come up!I really don't know enough about O'Donnell,except that he took his opportunity very well last weekend. I really think Wright has all the skills to be a very good 10.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
A dark horse or a tall brumby.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Furthest left field. Might be wrong, but Ciaran Frawley of Leinster born in Oz and might qualify. He is 10/12/15 "cover" but look at him take his chance at #10 against Maori ABs
savant
Roar Rookie
And wasn’t he a half back all through school? That would’ve given him a great feel for the ten jersey, and inside play in close quarters.
savant
Roar Rookie
Yep Hamish is an old fashioned ten. Kicking, passing, tackling are his skills. Was the best ten in the NRC. Never had a long run in super at ten. I think he has only started there 10 times in 6 years. He will never make the highlights reel however because he’s not much of a runner.