Never been a Wallabies side anywhere close to this one. And it's not even about the results as much as how damn fun they were to watch. Larkham was a freakshow all by himself... could never get over how quick he was when he didn't look like he was moving that fast. And how often he'd get absolutely clobbered taking the ball right to the defensive line to offload to supports. My favourite #10 ever, with Beaudy and Carlos close behind. They all make rugby pure enjoyment to watch.
All blacks supporter here This bloke broke my heart more times than any other player. Absolutely hated him but now I can look back and only marvel. Would love to see another player of his skill in the wallabies these days.
As blues fan growing up Il loved that Brumbies team and what a team they had and this guy was a beautiful player. Always referred to him as the slowest fast man in rugby because he never looked like he was moving quickly compared to guys trying to chase him, such calculated player found lines so well. One of the greats
Different player to Carlos. Both great but in different ways. Merthens was a great kicker and could throw a defense splitting pass, but not on the same level defensively or running the gap.
His spatial awareness was second to none. He'd glide through the defence, either scoring or try assists. One of the best 5/8's I've ever seen, brilliant player.
Brave and intense competitor. Probably my all time favourite #10. There are a lot of players in this era who could be considered GOATs of union. Gregan, Eales, Horan, Campese, Burke...
Kiwi here. Was awesome to watch Larkham in full flight. Their forwards recycled the ball super quick and the back line were always on the front foot on attack. Larkham taking the ball to the line was always a worry.
All blacks supporter, this man is my all time favourite wallabies player followed George Smith.. larkham was amazing, so slick, he just seemed too have so much time... i really miss the days the bledisloes were close
Loved watching Larkham. On top of all this he threw pinpoint passes for players to run onto. Also such a golden age for Aussie and Brumbies rugby. That drop goal of his hurt when he put us out of RWC ‘99 but what a moment of brilliance!
a great era of aus rugby. I was a kid playing 5/8 with head gear. trying to emulate berrnie. he was my favourite player along with Burke. he just glided through the defence.
A genius. Mercurial, silky smooth, elusive he cruised like Cully then he would slice through the narrowest of gaps, usually closing, at full noise. all business. No hoopla. The consummate 10 and 15, perfectly supplied with ball by Gregan. Also terrific in defence. WONDERFUL FOOTAGE of an all time hero of mine. BRAVO AND THANK YOU STEPHEN LARKHAM.
Watching him get smashed one minute, then getting straight back up and scoring a cracker of a try down the other end the next, you cant help but admire his toughness. Staunch AB's supporter.
Thanks for the great video! In France, we may have one of his reincarnations in the name of Matthieu Jalibert. Both are a triple threat that they master: they can either take the interval, pass in the right tempo or make a little kick above the defense... good luck for the defence!
King Carlos & Larkham are the best attacking fiveeight ever played in rugby union. Wallabies still struggled to replace Larkham for over 20 years. And NZ has got outstanding talented 5/8 after Carlos but hasn't seen a King Carlos playing style comes through their system
Remember back in the days here in Fiji when we use to watch him on TV in the village and we would call him "Na Nitu" meaning "The Devil". He was not your normal stereotype first five eight. The only first five to play international rugby not because of his kicking abilities but because of the running rugby mentality he played with
Crikey, Aus had some good teams and great players back then. Even though my guys the ABs were the fall out boys for a few of those tries, you still can’t help but be amazed at how effortlessly they made it look. Not just Larkham, but all of them - like a Rolls Royce going smoothly through the gears until you suddenly realise they’re running at redline velocity with utmost precision.
It seems the best 10s were bred in another position and that's helped immensely Carter 12/10 Larkham 15/10 and I rate Larkham 2nd above Wilkinson at 3rd
A great player when he touched the ball normally had try on the end very gifted player. Definitely in the all time Australian Rugby team along with the Ella brothers, Campese, a quick glimpse of Andrew Walker as well, great player's he was better than Andrew Mertens handsdown, another kiwi opinion.
The Ten won ran?............Boy did he run! As far away from tackling as any 10 ever has! Even O'Gara had better tackle stats than Larkham! And he openly admitted hiding behind his back-row.........
