Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Paladin
Craig HillStephen Larkham: The Perfect 10 (part 1)
October 25th 2006 02:11
This interview was held pre test season 06 and has never seen the light in its entirety and never will, unless I write a book!
Believe me, this is just an excerpt...
The Wallabies are about to start their Spring Tour (1st - 05/11 Wallabies v Wales)
Stephen Larkham will again weave his magic at #10...or
is that #12 and 13, 14 15?? As well???
Check My Wallabies Dream Squad
...according to recent news, I'm not that far off you know....
***************************** *****************************
If you know anything about Rugby Union, then you know something about Stephen Larkham.
Widely acknowledged as the world’s premier five-eighth/flyhalf, Chief Playmaker of the Australian Wallabies and the ACT Brumbies (Super 14 team)and one of the best to ever wear a #10 jersey...if rugby is the game they play in heaven, then Stephen Larkham is a God.
In every story one reads about Larkham, there is always a question about Bernie and of Barney, his supposed split personality. Unfortunately this story is no exception but the question was asked to disprove the reasons for it. Who’s Barney?
“Ahh...that’s the side of me that usually comes out after a few drinks...which is not often!”
And Bernie? “Well, that’s just me.”
Understatement. Remember ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’? Bernie was a corpse.
Unfair. Granted, Larkham is quiet and reserved but he’s certainly not dull, let alone lifeless.
He’s friendly, candid, humble yet self-assured, slightly bemused by all the fuss made over him and...I can say this because I'm a woman...an absolute hunk!
There are times, however, when Bernie and Barney fuse and placidity goes out the window. That incident with Carlos Spencer (World Cup 03 semi final) comes to mind, amongst others... What provokes him?
“Not a lot off the field, I accept everyone for who they are and try and deal with everyone differently. On the field, well, it’s the way I was brought up and the way I was coached, to not accept cheating and foul play. We used to sort it out ourselves (grin) but now you can’t do that, we have to leave it to the referee.”
I had read elsewhere that Larkham’s idea of a dream car is a Lamborghini... somehow this doesn’t gel... not even with the Barney side of him...
“Yeah....If I had time to think about it I probably wouldn’t have said that. It’s a bit too flashy for me. I drive a V8 Monaro.”
Now that’s real wild country boy stuff. That’s Barney.
Bernie is the shy country kid that practiced drop goals alone in the paddock... Bernie is the shy adult that is still a bit puzzled at all the fuss...after all Larkham is a bonafide sporting superstar but, for someone who is often touted as the Atlas of Australian rugby, he is a reluctant celebrity. Why?
“I don’t know! It’s just the way I am, the way I grew up. When I was young, I used to just play by myself, you know go around and kick the ball, sometimes with my sister, sometimes the dog. Being on a farm you’re cut off from the big group of kids you can go to the park and socialize with, etc so I really enjoyed it when I got to school but, never really grew out of being used to keeping to myself. All I ever wanted was to play Rugby. I never wanted to be a celebrity.”
Surely fame has its good points, what about using his celebrity for ‘the greater good’?
“The greater good? Sometimes yeah, I’ve been associated with a few charities, currently I’ve got an association with Ronald Macdonald house but...I don’t actively do that sort of stuff. I try and keep fairly private.
I don’t want to represent what I’m supposed to be representing, if you understand what I mean. I’m (just) a rugby player.
I don’t mind being a role model because I feel I don’t do too much ‘wrong’ but I just want to be a normal person on the street who plays rugby. For Australia.”
“I was always going to be a rugby player but Rugby did not have as much value back then financially...don’t get me wrong, money is not the motivator, it would have been a great honour to play for Australia, for free but now... it’s a career.”
And if Rugby wasn’t an option?
“I’d probably be doing something in IT.”
Larkham has degrees in Engineering and Computer Science. His intelligence is often highlighted and it’s been said he has the highest IQ in the squad (“Really?”).
What makes him so special – not just to me- is his combination of off-field modesty and on-field brilliance and the fact that, in a game that requires the average player be Mensa ready, he makes everyone else around him look a bit stupid. It’s just the way his eyes glint even if his face is doing a Bernie...
“Growing up I looked up to the Australian rugby team and players...back then Nick Farr-Jones because he was a half back and David Campese because he’s from Queanbeyan (NSW Australia...not far from where Larkham grew up*). I watched him play in Canberra, he was my local hero who made it big.”
Who does he admire the most now?
“George Gregan because of his longevity and his ability to be so professional.”
And what happens to that famous pairing when Gregan retires?
“Gregan and I will probably retire together. I plan to go through to the next World Cup and then I might look overseas to see what’s on offer. I feel I haven’t finished my career yet (he’s 32) so still keen to play for another couple of years.”
Has becoming a father changed his perspective?
“Hmm...I suppose it’s changed me off the field but not on field. I try to be a little more responsible (bye Barney). Our daughter was a bit unexpected, a bit of a handful but she’s a blessing in disguise. She’s certainly tested us (wife Jacqueline) but like with most parent couples, made us stronger.”
Test matches and testing hatches...a Rugby player’s life. So, they've got a Wallaroo, what about a Wallaby...
“I’d like a boy! We’re just waiting for the right time. If we don’t have another, that’s fine and I think it’s up to my wife how many children we have because she has to put up with more than I have to! I’m away so much."
Is this tough? Being away so much?
"I hate to say it but you do get used to the separation, depending on how long you’re away. It’s always tough for the first couple of weeks, particularly the end of season tours. 5-6 weeks away, then when you know it’s a week out from coming home, it gets difficult. You just want to get home."
*Home. Originally Yass, NSW – a long way to the top if you want to ruck and roll!
***************************** ***************************** ***************************** ******
Coming soon: Part 2:
Larkham The Perfect 10...and a human speedball...
***************************** ***************************** ***************************** *******
Image from the Australian Rugby Union site;
Qantas Wallabies – Photo Galleries
www.rugby.com.au /qantas_wallabies/photo_galle ries/
Stephen Larkham in action during the Wallabies v England match in Melbourne, Australia June 17th 2006
Stephen Larkham
Believe me, this is just an excerpt...
The Wallabies are about to start their Spring Tour (1st - 05/11 Wallabies v Wales)
Stephen Larkham will again weave his magic at #10...or
is that #12 and 13, 14 15?? As well???
Check My Wallabies Dream Squad
...according to recent news, I'm not that far off you know....
***************************** *****************************
If you know anything about Rugby Union, then you know something about Stephen Larkham.
Widely acknowledged as the world’s premier five-eighth/flyhalf, Chief Playmaker of the Australian Wallabies and the ACT Brumbies (Super 14 team)and one of the best to ever wear a #10 jersey...if rugby is the game they play in heaven, then Stephen Larkham is a God.
Stephen Larkham: The Perfect 10
In every story one reads about Larkham, there is always a question about Bernie and of Barney, his supposed split personality. Unfortunately this story is no exception but the question was asked to disprove the reasons for it. Who’s Barney?
“Ahh...that’s the side of me that usually comes out after a few drinks...which is not often!”
And Bernie? “Well, that’s just me.”
Understatement. Remember ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’? Bernie was a corpse.
Unfair. Granted, Larkham is quiet and reserved but he’s certainly not dull, let alone lifeless.
He’s friendly, candid, humble yet self-assured, slightly bemused by all the fuss made over him and...I can say this because I'm a woman...an absolute hunk!
There are times, however, when Bernie and Barney fuse and placidity goes out the window. That incident with Carlos Spencer (World Cup 03 semi final) comes to mind, amongst others... What provokes him?
“Not a lot off the field, I accept everyone for who they are and try and deal with everyone differently. On the field, well, it’s the way I was brought up and the way I was coached, to not accept cheating and foul play. We used to sort it out ourselves (grin) but now you can’t do that, we have to leave it to the referee.”
I had read elsewhere that Larkham’s idea of a dream car is a Lamborghini... somehow this doesn’t gel... not even with the Barney side of him...
“Yeah....If I had time to think about it I probably wouldn’t have said that. It’s a bit too flashy for me. I drive a V8 Monaro.”
Now that’s real wild country boy stuff. That’s Barney.
Bernie is the shy country kid that practiced drop goals alone in the paddock... Bernie is the shy adult that is still a bit puzzled at all the fuss...after all Larkham is a bonafide sporting superstar but, for someone who is often touted as the Atlas of Australian rugby, he is a reluctant celebrity. Why?
“I don’t know! It’s just the way I am, the way I grew up. When I was young, I used to just play by myself, you know go around and kick the ball, sometimes with my sister, sometimes the dog. Being on a farm you’re cut off from the big group of kids you can go to the park and socialize with, etc so I really enjoyed it when I got to school but, never really grew out of being used to keeping to myself. All I ever wanted was to play Rugby. I never wanted to be a celebrity.”
Surely fame has its good points, what about using his celebrity for ‘the greater good’?
“The greater good? Sometimes yeah, I’ve been associated with a few charities, currently I’ve got an association with Ronald Macdonald house but...I don’t actively do that sort of stuff. I try and keep fairly private.
I don’t want to represent what I’m supposed to be representing, if you understand what I mean. I’m (just) a rugby player.
I don’t mind being a role model because I feel I don’t do too much ‘wrong’ but I just want to be a normal person on the street who plays rugby. For Australia.”
“I was always going to be a rugby player but Rugby did not have as much value back then financially...don’t get me wrong, money is not the motivator, it would have been a great honour to play for Australia, for free but now... it’s a career.”
And if Rugby wasn’t an option?
“I’d probably be doing something in IT.”
Larkham has degrees in Engineering and Computer Science. His intelligence is often highlighted and it’s been said he has the highest IQ in the squad (“Really?”).
What makes him so special – not just to me- is his combination of off-field modesty and on-field brilliance and the fact that, in a game that requires the average player be Mensa ready, he makes everyone else around him look a bit stupid. It’s just the way his eyes glint even if his face is doing a Bernie...
“Growing up I looked up to the Australian rugby team and players...back then Nick Farr-Jones because he was a half back and David Campese because he’s from Queanbeyan (NSW Australia...not far from where Larkham grew up*). I watched him play in Canberra, he was my local hero who made it big.”
Who does he admire the most now?
“George Gregan because of his longevity and his ability to be so professional.”
And what happens to that famous pairing when Gregan retires?
“Gregan and I will probably retire together. I plan to go through to the next World Cup and then I might look overseas to see what’s on offer. I feel I haven’t finished my career yet (he’s 32) so still keen to play for another couple of years.”
Has becoming a father changed his perspective?
“Hmm...I suppose it’s changed me off the field but not on field. I try to be a little more responsible (bye Barney). Our daughter was a bit unexpected, a bit of a handful but she’s a blessing in disguise. She’s certainly tested us (wife Jacqueline) but like with most parent couples, made us stronger.”
Test matches and testing hatches...a Rugby player’s life. So, they've got a Wallaroo, what about a Wallaby...
“I’d like a boy! We’re just waiting for the right time. If we don’t have another, that’s fine and I think it’s up to my wife how many children we have because she has to put up with more than I have to! I’m away so much."
Is this tough? Being away so much?
"I hate to say it but you do get used to the separation, depending on how long you’re away. It’s always tough for the first couple of weeks, particularly the end of season tours. 5-6 weeks away, then when you know it’s a week out from coming home, it gets difficult. You just want to get home."
*Home. Originally Yass, NSW – a long way to the top if you want to ruck and roll!
***************************** ***************************** ***************************** ******
Coming soon: Part 2:
Larkham The Perfect 10...and a human speedball...
***************************** ***************************** ***************************** *******
Image from the Australian Rugby Union site;
Qantas Wallabies – Photo Galleries
www.rugby.com.au /qantas_wallabies/photo_galle ries/
Stephen Larkham in action during the Wallabies v England match in Melbourne, Australia June 17th 2006
Stephen Larkham| 48 |
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