Larkham Out, Game On For New Boys
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday May 26, 2007
THE cotton-wool treatment of Wallabies five-eighth Stephen Larkham has begun. With their focus firmly on this year's World Cup, the selectors yesterday withdrew Larkham from tonight's first Test against Wales at Telstra Stadium and showed they would not risk their No.1 playmaker if he was not 100 per cent fit for any of the lead-up internationals.
Larkham, who has a right hamstring tendon strain, admitted yesterday that he would have played if it were a series-defining Test. The selectors' caution has prompted the elevation of Waratahs No.10 Sam Norton-Knight, who will join fullback Julian Huxley as a Test debutant."It's early in the season, so there's no point taking any risks," Larkham said. "If it was a grand final I probably would have gone out and played, but there's just no need to take that sort of risk at this stage."On Thursday, Wallabies coach John Connolly explained to the Herald that the selectors had to carefully choose the matches in which Larkham, who turns 33 next month, played because "he is definitely the key to it all".Connolly said there was no point in over-playing Larkham, especially since he usually excelled after he had been rested. He added that selectors wanted to protect him as often as possible to ensure they got the best from Larkham in his farewell season with the Wallabies. He will also be omitted from the teams to play Wales in Brisbane next Saturday, and Fiji in Perth on June 9. Larkham is not scheduled to return to the Wallabies line-up until the Tri Nations opener against South Africa in Cape Town on June 16.In Larkham's absence, Wales now loom as a threat, despite leaving 18 frontline players at home. Without Larkham, the Wallabies back line looks somewhat flimsy, relying on three players who lack experience on the international stage - Norton-Knight, inside-centre Adam Ashley-Cooper and Huxley. Between them, they have played only two minutes of Test rugby. For their part, Wales have been stung by the endless criticism directed at them during their short stay in Australia and are bound to seek revenge on the field. It will all revolve around how the Australian newcomers negotiate the glare of the big moment. Usually Australian players on their Test debut handle the moment well, but only with the assistance of the experienced players around them.However, this is not the most experienced line-up. Matt Giteau is playing at halfback - not his usual position - and winger Drew Mitchell is trying to re-establish himself at international level. The only attacking player with major experience is outside-centre Stirling Mortlock.The selectors must now be wondering whether their decision to rest winger Lote Tuqiri to apparently teach him how to run was such an inspired move. It could easily backfire, because if Australia lose tonight, their already teetering spectator support would slump even further.Mortlock will need to use his experience and leadership skills to guide the young pups, who could easily be distracted. While Huxley had several excellent performances for the Brumbies late in the Super 14, earlier in the year he was guilty of overplaying his hand.Norton-Knight also suffered from brain-snaps during the season, prompting an incensed Tuqiri to give him a shove in the back that any AFL player would have been proud of. At least in Norton-Knight's favour is the fact that he is now playing in a position he likes. It was at five-eighth, during the second half of the Super 14 season, that he regained his form and composure.The loss of Larkham has suddenly given this Test a much-needed edge. Even though the international has failed to gain the attention of the sporting mainstream, there will still be a considerable level of tension. Wales are unimpressed that they have been described as third-rate and Australia want to show they are no longer second-rate. All the Sydney rugby public want is a first-rate Test match for a change.
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald