The greatest honour in sports is often debated.
Is it being named in your sport’s hall of fame?
What about being formally declared by your nation as a sporting icon?
But then of course, there are triumphs on the world stage. World cup victories are undoubtedly the pinnacle of each sport, so how could anything top that?
How about having a stand of your home stadium named in your honour? The joyful memories of fans evoked each time they enter the area. Not that they need reminding…
For Brumbies and Wallabies great, Stephen Larkham, to list these accomplishments is to hardly scratch the surface. Larkham’s standing in Australian sport was cemented over a decade of glory. Two Super Rugby titles, a Lions series victory and the famed 1999 World Cup title played a pivotal role in rugby capturing the imagination of a nation.
The only issue? The subsequent expectation – rather than hope – of success. When the standards are set so high, meeting (let alone exceeding) them, becomes nearly impossible.
The term ‘impossible’ is apt when trying to separate Larkham’s story from that of the Brumbies. A Canberra local, rugby was a constant on the Larkham farm.
“Rugby was a big part of our family. Dad (Geoff) was a rugby player and foundation member of Wests Rugby Club, where he played over 300 games. We would often get up and watch the Wallaby test matches that were over in Europe, at 3’o clock in the morning.”
His journey began, however, at Lyneham Rugby Club (which later became Wests). Despite making his name as Australia’s greatest ever fly-half, the Brumbies may have been robbed of a star front-rower.
“My first year was in the front row. I found myself in a few scrums that year, but it was only under nines, so they weren’t proper scrums.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Larkham’s stint at prop was short-lived, though it would prove over a decade before he moved into the now infamous ’10’ jersey.
Instead, it was at scrum-half that the man nicknamed ‘Bernie’ first made a name for himself. He would remain at nine into his senior career and only made the switch when one George Gregan returned from international duties.
Somewhat ironically, Australian rugby’s greatest ever pairing – immortalised on one side of Bruce Stadium - began as a rivalry. Well… of sorts.
“Not so much a rival. I looked up to him because he was a year older and played for the ACT and then Australia pretty young. I’d been following him the whole way through junior rugby and then we finally played against one another in senior rugby (John I Dent Cup).”
When the Kookaburras (the local representative team) was playing in the Shute Shield in Sydney, the pecking order was clear. Larkham’s spot in the ACT set-up was dependent upon the availability of other scrum-halves. So he thought, anyway.
“He (George) came back into first grade, and the first-grade halfback came back into second grade, who was Paul Brown, but they decided to keep me in the team at 13.
“I played pretty well in one of the finals games and Rod Macqueen was there watching. I got picked up (by the Brumbies) as a utility back.”
Like all great sporting stories, a little bit of luck was needed.
“We had a pre-season tour to Japan where we picked up a couple of injuries in the backline, so they had to put me at 13 for the first couple of games of the Brumbies inaugural season. Not long into the season Rod Kafer was injured so I was then moved to full back.”
From prop, to halfback, to outside centre, to fullback. It seemed Larkham’s best position was finally settled. A 1996 Australia A game seemed to confirm that sentiment.
“We played against Connacht in Galway, Ireland and the coaches put me at five-eighth. I didn’t have a great game, so the experiment only latest for the one game on that tour.”
Macqueen, however, had other ideas. Two years later, the Wallabies coach shifted Larkham into five-eighth for a test against England.
When asked about how difficult the transition was, a wry smile reflects the fond memories of the occasion.
“Yeah, relatively easy… because we won 76-0. That was the England team that eventually went on to beat us in the World Cup (2003).”
Larkham identifies that Brisbane test as the ‘kick-starter’ for the country’s 1999 World Cup triumph. Of course, it would be remiss to mention that storied tournament without bringing up ‘that’ drop goal.
“Certainly, through that era, we were all about running rugby, trying to keep the ball in hand. So yeah, it was a fluke.”
The 48-metre drop - in extra time of a World Cup semi-final - is now etched in sporting folklore. The kick typified that composed demeanour of Larkham, something he has carried over into coaching.
That ’99 World Cup win was followed two years later by yet another historic chapter. The best of Britain and Ireland set sail for Australia in 2001, where the reigning world champions weren’t exactly sure what to expect.
“What blew me away was the atmosphere at the ground, our first game was in Brisbane. It was just red everywhere. We certainly felt like we were ambushed.”
“Rugby Australia got their act together and gave out gold scarves and beanies for the second test, so it was bit more even.”
That second Test in Melbourne would prove Larkham’s final in the series, with injury ruling him out of the decider in Sydney. Suffice to say, however, Australia had been properly introduced to the Lions movement.
“I think everyone learned what it was about. You just don’t get an atmosphere like that with any other game.”
Funnily enough, his transition into coaching wasn’t exactly planned.
“I thought I’d just get out of rugby after I played and get a break away from the sport.”
Looking back, it only seemed natural for one of Australia’s greats to mentor the next generation. After all, Larkham was – and still is – a rugby tragic. It’s no wonder his coaching career now rivals his playing days in length.
From his time as a player-coach in Japan, ‘Bernie’ knew he still had plenty to offer in the game.
“I was finishing my playing career in Japan, when I was offered an opportunity to come back to the Brumbies (and Canberra) as an assistant coach with Andy Friend. As much as I wanted to get away from the game, my first year as a coach proved really enjoyable.”
As for his coaching development - which has so far seen him involved in both the Brumbies and Wallabies, as well as a stint in Ireland with Munster - Larkham has sought to take learnings from the people who have influenced him.
“Ireland gave me a different perspective. I had a different environment, some world-class players, and some world-class coaches.”
“Throughout my journey as a player and a coach, I’ve taken little bits out of all those coaches, players and programs, and have tried to put them into the program we have here now.”
Larkham was weary, too, that no one style fits all.
“I was very conscious of the fact that being a coach is not about trying to do what you did as a player. It’s now about understanding the current environment, because the game has certainly changed since I played. Understanding what the staff and players need to create an environment where everyone thrives.”
As part of the Brumbies’ foundation side, Larkham and co were tasked with creating an identity for the club.
“When rugby first turned professional, the sky was the limit, we didn’t know where it would take it, but everything was positive, and we were playing because we loved rugby and wanted to represent our families, our regions, and our country.
“As players, part of the culture was making sure we had that connection off the field, and it’s pretty easy to do in what is essentially a big country town (Canberra).”
On field, the standard was set from those early days.
“It was just a period of time where we didn’t lose two games in a row.”
Larkham’s passion for the Brumbies is something he has tried to instil in the younger generations.
“They’ve been given an opportunity to wear the Brumbies jersey. I’d like to think the players understand and respect the opportunity they’ve been given, and that they’re all as passionate about the Brumbies as we were.
“Now it’s up to them to give back by bringing a performance everyone can be proud of, every time they go out on the field.”
The pain of this year’s semi-final loss is clearly not yet lost on Larkham. Brumbies fans, young and old, have reason for optimism in 2026. Few coaches are as passionate about their club as Stephen Larkham. After all, he is merely instilling a culture he helped to cultivate.
A true great of the club, Larkham understands what it takes to succeed in Super Rugby. If there was ever a man to lead the Brumbies to glory, it would surely be one of the nation’s greatest ever sportsmen.
