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Rugby Union - by Craig Hill

Stephen Larkham: Sweet as Pied Piper...

January 17th 2008 22:00
Well...thank God for Stephen Larkham.

Just saying...if not for him, I wouldn't have anything to ogle blog about. He's been out of action for a long time but he's back! With lots of news!! he's going!!!...and yes I do know that this is supposed to be a blog about Rugby Union.

Larkham's been busy...not only confirming that he's off to become a Samurai and thus determining the theme* of Rucks and Rolls this year but also "imploring" other Wallaby greats to not be lemmings. Sigh...everyone wants to be just...lark'um...

Stephen Larkham and Stirling Mortlock: Defenders of the Universe...oh okay...the Bledisloe Cup.
Stay and defend this Noble Cup Stirling. My work here is done...


from SMH

Wallabies great Stephen Larkham has implored Test skipper Stirling Mortlock to play on in Australia and not follow him to Japan after the playmaker finally sealed his future on Wednesday.

The 102-Test five-eighth was declared the biggest-name signing in the history of the Japanese game when he announced a career-ending three-year contract with Ricoh.

There is no foundation to the rumour that a temple is being constructed in Larkham's name.

A second Brumbies back could challenge for that honour later this year with fears of Mortlock joining him in the land of the rising sun if the Australian Rugby Union falls well short of a massive contract on offer in Japan.

Stirling Mortlock pleading with Stephen Larkham to teach him how to be as great as Larkham


Stirling (r); "Come on Steve...let me follow in your footsteps..."
Stephen: "No Stirling. The path I tread I must tread alone. There can be only One...besides, I am the reason for Rugby-ing. So Dusk says and the sun sets with her."
Stirling: "...but Steve...I look great in this singlet..."
Stephen: "Stirling effort. Still not me though are you?"

*********************

Mortlock has spoken of his desire to play on in Australia beyond 2008 but Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher said it all depended on whether the ARU came to the party financially.

"(Mortlock) says he wants to stay but there's more to it than wanting to stay, Latham wanted to stay and didn't get the offer he wanted," Fisher said.

Chris Latham has announced he'll depart Australian Rugby this year (post to follow) and Larkham's plea comes out of a fear that Australian Rugby may be "crippled" with a mass exodus of senior players.

What is the ARU doing??? What makes the ARU think that they are in a position to play games?? Bloomin' pencil pushing morons.

Stephen Larkham training Chris Latham on the Art of Being Larkham


Chris (l): "Like this Steve?"
Stephen: "No Chris. To be like Me, you must be Me. And face, it you're not."

*********************

2008 heralds the start of a new World Cup cycle...3 and a half years to get match fit and bring Bill back home. This means we have to start winning matches now and when 'blooding' youngsters and players in new position...the experience of the senior players is needed more than ever.

While there are rumours Mortlock is eying such a move when his current deal expires this year, seasoned Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe is set to spurn the big money overseas to stay with the Western Force.

Larkham said that both senior players are "invaluable" for the code in Australia and he hoped they "stayed put" for the good of the Wallabies, their Super 14 sides and the continuation of Rucks and Rolls.

Stephen (we're on first name basis. He knows me as "who?") said;
I think particularly after the World Cup a lot of guys think about moving on...But I think you have to realise how special it is to play for your country and to play for the states here in Australia.

They are all very good set-ups, it's a comfortable lifestyle and you're looked after very well and that's not necessarily the case if you're move overseas and it's something you have to weigh up.

"For the sport in Australia you'd certainly like to see those guys (Mortlock and Sharpe) staying in Australia to offer some more expertise for a couple more years at least."

Well...why couldn't he stay then??? Why does Japan get so lucky

Larkham's agent, Jason Macarthur, "feted" Larkham as "the biggest-name signing in Japanese history", ahead of Wallaby Legend #8 Toutai Kefu (the hand that scored the winning try for John Eales' last match) who signed a massive contract in 2003.

...But Larkham's move to Tokyo may see him play his next match in the Japanese second division, with the Ricoh Black Rams looking at a 'demotion' from the Top League. The Black Rams are 2nd last with 3 rounds left this current season, and they need to win at least two matches to avoid automatic relegation.

So why did he choose the Black Rams if they're climbing up a greasy pole (or something like that)?

Larkham said he was close to signing with Kefu's Kubota club but chose Ricoh for family reasons with schools, training fields and shops all close to his new home.

Ahhhh....rigato gozaimasu.

************************

*Rucks and Rolls theme - Setting Sun. Rugby. Rising Sun. Enough said.

***********************

info sourced from SMH
images courtesy of...cripes...I can't remember... DayLife I think...

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The Comments Section has been disabled as I am currently unable to respond to any comment/s left. My apologies for the inconvenience but if I wanted your opi...I'm kidding! I'm kidding.
According to Blog Ettiquette for Dummies (B.E.D)...not responding to comments left is 'What Not To Do' #1 (Chapter 3: How To Win Friends and Blog Under the Influence).
So I made my bed using hospitable corners...
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