Larkham's Awesomeness
AUSTRALIAN Rugby Union bosses were last night urged to break the bank to sign Stephen Larkham for next year's World Cup as past greats stamped him as vital to the Australia's challenge.
Test selector Tim Horan even had this dire warning for the ARU: "I can't see us winning the World Cup without Larkham there."
Australian Super 14 provinces are queueing to sign Brumbies utility ace Matt Giteau for next year.
But the concern for the ARU is that Larkham is also off contract and at the tailend of a career where massive offers, from Japan especially, could lure him overseas unless Australian bosses come to the party.
ACT Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said that conversations with Larkham indicate he is keen to sign for only one more season then explore offshore possibilities for 2008.
But it could be, as Horan implied, a case of how much will the ARU pay to be in the World Cup with a chance.
"I don't know what the market price is mate, but he's worth whatever you pay for him," said Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher.
Wendell Sailor was the game's biggest earner when he first signed to cross codes for around $650,000 a season.
Larkham, for a one-off World Cup year, could conceivably hit the $700,000 milestone.
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Horan and former dual international Michael O'Connor would not blanch at any figure.
"He's in the pivotal playmaking role," said Horan, who won a World Cup with Larkham in 1999. "You could probably afford to lose a Lote Tuqiri or a Chris Latham, because of the positions they play, and still win a World Cup.
"In a nutshell, you could make the World Cup semis without Stephen Larkham. But winning it from there would be difficult.
"He'll be as important to the Wallabies in France next year as Jonny Wilkinson was to England going into the 2003 World Cup, and I think he's still improving. He's become a smarter footballer in terms of his awareness around the field.
"As for his kicking, it's improved immensely since 1999.
"In the past couple of years he's also taken on more of a leadership role, while his option taking is also so good. That comes with experience and the faith he has in the people around him."
O'Connor suggested it was worth resting Larkham at critical times in the lead-up to the World Cup.
"I'd put him in cotton wool," O'Connor said. "He's very important and there's no substitute for his experience.
"He's got so many bankable hours of rugby behind him.
"The way Steve's playing at the moment, it indicates he's still at the top of his game.
"In tight situations when you need decision-making, and options are all important, the more experience you have the better.
"You'd trust him in a tight situation to take the right option nine times out of 10. He's also the sort of bloke who always puts his body on the line."
Fisher also insists Larkham, if he stays injury free, can improve further.
"He plays the game at 100 percent every time he goes out," Fisher said.
"He's never sitting out the back. He knows he needs to play in the frontline, that's what he likes to do, and that's when he plays his best."