Stephen Larkham is open to coaching the Wallabies but says he’s had no discussions with Rugby Australia about replacing Eddie Jones.
The 1999 World Cup-winning great was coy when asked about his interest in the role on Thursday, but admitted he was keen to help Australian rugby in any way he could.
The ACT Brumbies coach is viewed as one of the leading contenders to fill the vacancy left by Jones when he walked out on the Wallabies just 10 months into a five-year deal last month.
“I’m certainly interested in trying to help rugby in Australia,” Larkham said on Thursday.
“We’ve got a real philosophy here to make sure we are growing the game as an organisation.
“So however I can help in terms of improving our results and improving our growth within the sporting arena, I’d love to be involved.”
But Larkham, who’s two years into his second stint in charge of the Brumbies, said he’d taken no calls from RA in the wake of Jones’ calamitous tenure.
“We’ve sort of got a fair bit on, RA have got a fair bit on at the moment and I’m very focused here on my job,” he said.
“We’ve got a number of changes here with our staff since Super Rugby finished, so there’s been a really good planning period here with the coaches.
“We’re looking to go one better from last year … I’ve been heavily focused here on this program.”
Along with former ACT boss Dan McKellar, Larkham – a former Wallabies assistant under Michael Cheika – looks a front-runner for the job, although RA isn’t expected to rush to name Jones’ replacement.
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Larkham was the Wallabies’ attack coach between 2015 and 2019, before a three-year stint at Irish side Munster.
McKellar worked under former national team boss Dave Rennie until he resigned to take a job with Leicester earlier this year.
The Wallabies failed to progress from the group stage for the first time ever at a Rugby World Cup last month in France.
Asked for his reflections on the disastrous campaign, Larkham said the progress of eventual-champions South Africa showed how difficult a tournament it is.
“They won the last three games by one point – that’s a refereeing decision, that’s one bad mistake, and it changes the fortunes of the team,” he said.
“You could argue there are a few of those refereeing decisions, or bad mistakes that could have changed the whole narrative of the Wallabies.
“I understood Eddie’s philosophy there in terms of bringing the younger group together and seeing if we can jag something … there was potential we were going to do that.”
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
I think it has to be an overseas coach. No Aussies are good enough imho. Joe Schmidt would be my ideal choice with Peter Hewatt assisting and attack coach.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thank you Thugby. You get my point.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Catchie's Leg, Having never coached a rugby team in my life (experience in coaching was part-time for my kid's U10 soccer team) I am sure RA could convince me to do the WB gig for say 10k a month (plus free Cadbury Gold fruit-n--nut). WB would still be kr^p but at least there would be some sort of a rugby team plan, box kicks would be contested and breakdown menace back in vogue. Wales might still beat us but I doubt a 6-40 drubbing. :laughing:
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
RTL, my wife says I am a massive joke, so perhaps I am a comedian. :silly: I didn't say Darren Coleman (Nor J.Gilmore nor N.Gray) were my preference but the way I see it, they are the only australian coaches with enough cred (where it matters, not we mug Roar bloggers) to get the WB gig. I cannot see RA having the coin to hire an overseas coach so it has to be a local. If not Coleman then who do you suggest? :happy:
Frankly
Roar Rookie
The problem with Cheika is I don't think he can achieve sustained success over the long run. He left the Wallabies in bad shape. His player selection was poor. RA needed to include 2 selectors to keep him in line. He picked his team to fit around one player, Israel Folau. He selected Israel out of position. He is a winger, not a fullback. He persisted with Pocock at 8. He isn't an 8. He failed to develop player depth and bring through the next generation of players. Strategically he was found out. Other teams were able to negate his game plan. He had a running rugby ideology that he didn't successfully implement. He openly admitted he does not review other teams and chooses to only focus internally. Has he evolved since 2019? Perhaps. Argentina's performance at the RWC was probably a pass mark. That might be a harsh assessment. I feel he has the great potential to be Eddie Jones 2.0. Can RA risk that? Can the Australian public embrace him? I think the answer to both questions is no.
ORF
Roar Rookie
I know. I watched it. Estherhuizen and Marcus Smith looked very good. As did the forward pack. I think that England No 8 Dombrand captained them.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But Cheika won trophies and his record was terrible by the end.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What has Andy Friend won as a coach?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I think Larkham with the right people around him could be good. Still need to rid themselves of that cretin McLennan though
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Mate, I assume you really mean well, and you probably want the Wallabies to win as much as I do, so I'll leave this difference of opinions right there. No point making this personal.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
Are the Brumbies playing next year? I thought Melbourne Rebels playing 2 home games at Canberra Stadium 2024 to fill the void.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
Having Larkham as Coach would be an inspiration to the squad with all his 4th place participation awards. I suppose we are setting the bar lower and lower he will fit in well.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Hard to disagree with that but it doesn’t seem “yet” that we have too many options if it has to be Aussie. I don’t think we need to limit nationalities but we haven’t treated o/s coaches all that well.
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
I get it. Lets appoint people who have a CV with no trophy wins to a job that requires winning trophies. Your on a winner there Dusty10. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Biscuit man
Roar Rookie
Yes. I think he is the only domestic coach we have that could get the Wallabies back on track and deal with the BS above.
Cec
Roar Rookie
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Cec
Roar Rookie
Good pt that is as a massive ”In”.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Thanks for the correction. Joe's an interesting candidate if he throws his hat in the ring.
Kens lovechild
Roar Rookie
Im sure there's people that can turn it all around, the right sort of people that the people (fans ) would choose first not the ones in power look after the brotherhood ones.. Rennie had all the bonding gel ingredients needed he was hugely let down by the goons, thats more the issues here aye the goons,the political, the Mafia and the total neglect of all highways to to the top for as long or longer than wallabys won consistently and we know how long that is :rugby:
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
jez, "Not sure who they are " Mate I think that's the problem! I get the feeling we're going to have to go the "value" route based on budget and they will have to be good locals who are willing and available, possibly already on the books and part time work from the SRPac coaches. I actually think the answer is in the room.