One of rugby’s premier flyhalves, Stephen Larkham, says he may have a run at inside-centre on the Wallabies’ tour of Europe next month.
As assistant coach Scott Johnson attempts to reshape the backline, Larkham has been training at inside-centre, with regular number 12 Matt Giteau at scrumhalf and winger Mark Gerrard at flyhalf.
Larkham says there is a possibility that he will start at inside-centre in the Wallabies’ international against Italy in Rome on November 11.
”There might be a chance I’ll play 12 on tour,” Larkham was quoted as saying by the Australian newspaper on Thursday.
”At the training camp at Coffs Harbour we were preparing for the first couple of games. Once we get over there, there won’t be a lot of time to train.
”We were experimenting with a few different positions. Matt Giteau was running at nine, Mark Gerrard at 10 and I ran around at 12. I feel good about it. It’s a change. It’s a similar position to 10, especially the way we are playing.
”I’ll have to organise the runners around me, which will put a bit more pressure on me.
”It won’t be that much of a change. We are trying to be interchangeable.”
Larkham believes playing inside-centre will also help him to master the Wallabies’ new unstructured attack in phase play.
After playing a highly structured game plan at the Wallabies and ACT Brumbies for a decade, Larkham is taking time to adjust to the greater freedom in phase play.
Larkham said the European tour would give the Wallabies the opportunity to develop team spirit for the World Cup in France next year.
”The team, as a whole, our goal is to gel and get to know one another on and off the field and create a camaraderie,” Larkham said.
”The talk at the moment is that Wales will be the hardest test. Wales are extremely tough. The Welsh players have been together for a number of years and they understand each other quite well.
”They think they have a good game plan against us. But, if you look at Ireland’s form, they will be strong and at home they will be a lot harder.” – AFP
