Stephen Larkham - The Ten Who Ran (1996 - 2005)

[@hannotn]

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.

[@scottyfisiihoi5718]

Your favorite 10 but was not complete like Dan carter

[@RRSmurf]

Looking back.. One of the greatest periods of rugby, even I as a Saffer have to appreciate this. Absolute quality player!

[@Mamelodiful]

Absolutely..

[@dmnt-ce5hu]

As a Kiwi, I rated him superior to Carlos Spencer and Andrew Mehrtens. Silky playmaker who ran an outstanding backline

[@mothothebe5974]

Above Spencer I’m a bit much. Spencer is the best 10 in the professional era.

[@dmnt-ce5hu]

@@mothothebe5974 Hardly. Think RWC intercept pass.

[@menzimngadi6793]

Same here. He was very effective and played a charming style of rugby.

[@billywitne1803]

Amen 🙏🏾 bro

[@huepix]

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.

[@haydenkay5348]

Im kiwi but this guy easily one of my favourite Aussie players the Brumbies back then with him at ten were awesome to watch

[@charminjarmin1234]

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.

[@bpswank429]

Did you use to date him?

[@Oscarcat2212]

I loved how he would cut back into the forwards and side step his way through them. GOAT.

[@robertmiller2173]

He could just do the "Larkham Glide" and he didn't need afterburners, but they were on! One of my Favorite Aussie Players, love from South Island NZ!

[@valueinvestor77]

God he was a great player.

[@MaoriAussie]

He was a legend!

[@sjfifita6223]

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

[@PJSO]

I knew it was trouble when he approached our ABs defence line. Seeing that headgear run into space was always a thing of beauty. Legend

[@7s29]

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.

[@frankerck]

Just amazing. You knew Oz had a chance if he was on the field. Larkham & Latham & Mortie & young Gitz. He was subtly elusive like Cullen.

[@matthewkeating5963]

I'd forgotten just how talented he was. Wonderful player.

[@billymack333]

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...

[@apexit1]

Great Era of rugby. I remember thinking the ABs were going to put the frights on the new flyhalf. He was cool and tough as they come.

[@maxii3781]

Larkham was wizard favorite player in Australia from New Zealander much respect. That brumbies team in early 2000s was deadly

[@malp4650]

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.

[@ploneuk]

One of the greats. I loved that he had the physique of a fast pace bowler yet the grace of a cat.

[@joshmartin8481]

Much better sport to watch back then, so much space for backs.

[@mrporkchop-lx6ed]

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

[@robertmiller2173]

What a fantastic player! Stephen Larkham would have made my world best 1st XV, Regards from Christchurch New Zealand!

[@cyrussmith7056]

Never seen a player hit a hole or space like this guy, absolute freak! Not sure people really understand his magnificence .

[@jamiepearce8489]

Wow what a legend!!! The genius of Bernie Larkam!!

[@Fuzcapp]

What a natural talent. I often say, Larkham made Gregan look like a half back.

[@servaashofmeyr271]

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!

[@stevenlurie1215]

Larkham, Gregan were a lethal combo. Love South Africa 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@kentimmins9171]

Truly a great player!

[@clivezeederberg2782]

Wow, what an amazing Australian backline, generational talent 👌

[@camelo1495]

Seriously in contention for one of the best 10s. My favorite....able to keep calm and think through the game.

[@georgebarker3356]

Good 10,very balanced runner who read the game well 🤓🏉🙏

[@chrisbuesnell3428]

Yes. Good comment. It was the balance. Step off both feet plus a swerve

[@MarkWhippy]

Wow all those cutting lines they used to run. Crazy

[@briolewale7230]

The best looking long pass i have ever seen

[@wimokaharawira8443]

Larkham is a great, he's up with the best of them

[@naioane740]

Straight up as kiwi larks was up there skills!

[@lo-filivesound1595]

One of the best in the world Larkam the man love from Samoa 🇼🇸

[@Will-nb8qk]

What an era of Aussie Rugby. Gregan, Larkham, Joe Roth, Tune, Mortlock, Tuqiri, Tune, Sharpe, Noriega, George Smith, Kefu, Herbert etc.

[@glenboase8994]

Loved watching Stephen great play maker

[@jlh6621]

He was my favourite first five outstanding player.

[@beatonthedonis]

Beautiful playmaking 10.

[@huepix]

Australias Christian Cullen. Great to watch, even when he led Oz to beat us. A worry whenever he got the ball

[@grinningtaverngaming395]

I always loved Larkam’s intensity and intelligence. When he combined those qualities with strength and agility he was outstanding.

[@Martin-pb7ts]

He was a fantastic No. 10 always admired the way he played and how he ran. Except when he played against the Boks!

[@krizmatthews874]

What a legend this bloke was. My fav wallabie of all time.

[@81griffin]

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.

[@shaun1900]

An exceptional player by any measure.

[@johndoyle2213]

Brilliant Player

[@binalongberrico4808]

A great great player. Loved watching him.

[@mastersta5267]

Dude had insane handling and passing.

[@1unsung971]

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.

[@thouia4660]

Larkham was brilliant!

[@sicboi]

His miss out passes to three backline were just beautiful to watch. Legend

[@danwikaira3949]

Great great player, he cut many backlines to shreds, he was always cool under pressure 👍

[@KickassUncle]

Those were the days 😪

[@andycollins8684]

What a player, what we wouldn't do for one like him now...

[@pitaberaciri8366]

He was the calm head very intelligent player

[@romaricvincent7616]

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!

[@Gambino88]

Larkham was a gun, definitely up there with the best fly halfs!

[@Renegades182]

The best first five eighth of his time until Dan started playing

[@danman6358]

Larkham was always dangerous, made ab's fans nervous when he touched the ball... always fun to watch tho

[@richardcullen9177]

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.

[@marionkolo1386]

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

[@Kevinohanlons]

A legend!

[@frankoyalo9127]

"The Ghost" What a Legend

[@Saf_Shares]

The player that made me want to watch Rugby Union.

[@BBOYMAHZ]

One of the best 1st Fives. lethal

[@millychand478]

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

[@davidpeterson1698]

The greatest.

[@TG2004sec]

Larkham#10 is a legend 🎖

[@andrewturk6562]

I will secon that outstanding number 10 thats when australia were great all ossis not the bullshit they have there today very shamful

[@TG2004sec]

@@andrewturk6562 Do you think Larkham#10. Gregan#9 combination could play in the nrl. Look what they did for the brumbies and wallabies

[@TG2004sec]

@@andrewturk6562 I agree with you 100% Australian Rugby Union declined when this era of players retired. Same as cricket

[@brokristian]

@@TG2004sec But why would they want to??

[@cortinatim1]

A very good player who gave our ABs a hard time.

[@wonton8983]

Always looked like he was about to start crying.

[@troystaunton254]

The closest rugby ever got to having their own Allan Langer, and of course Andrew johns is as close rugby league ever got to their own Carlos spencer.

[@MarkWhippy]

Who?

[@troystaunton254]

@@dl26914 Dan carter is another on the list of stars in union or league that are a tragic loss to the other code.

[@eqmcgoon]

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.

[@trin08201]

Brilliant player

[@DirkJacobsz]

Shew - what a player - the good old Wallaby days..

[@andrewmason8691]

If Larkham or Ella had been Kiwis, can you imagine how much better they could have been beyond what they were?

[@stevebrinston7281]

Fantastic player, and with Gregan lethal combination against all opponents. Wish they were kiwis.😄

[@jesscixandyou5035]

His passing game was on

[@kaiuluitova6369]

I thought the current wallabies always in need of a good flyhalf to succeed Larkham and gregan was then and made the wallabies contenders

[@npc1894]

Great title

[@robertpearson8788]

australias best 10 in my opinion

[@sagamauga8074]

Stephen Larkham💪 FromNz

[@tjhill1192]

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

[@usaialovodua3311]

he doesn't play he dance's

[@reflectingtrees]

He's got that Christian Cullen flow or vice versa

[@strom56]

will there ever be a Wallabies side this good again?

[@Trajan2401]

Stephen (The Ghost) Larkham

[@richardmatatahi4563]

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.

[@kaiuluitova6369]

I think larkham was present when God parted the Red Sea

[@rangikapuateepa8556]

The amount of times this man destroyed Carlos and Mertz was disgusting lol

[@honestfreightkolovai7654]

One of the greatest players of all time. Would have made a great all black haha...

[@VonDutch68]

You cant teach these skills.

[@andypandy8569]

Arguably better than Noddy.

[@oldmanwillyboy2786]

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.........

[@7s29]

That's who he won so much.

[@porthard5951]

He should've kicked more and run less not be such a show off, plus I've never understood a why he had such long hair, it must get in the way.

[@cmobutts270]

The golden era of the wallabies.

[@nsdkido]

Imagine how agile these players were back in the day with those loose jerseys.

[@martindormer2116]

The last great 10 the Wallabies have had. It's been very slim pickings since.