Reports said on Thursday the former South Africa World Cup-winning coach said he would “be crazy” if he did not try to lure the 102-Test capped Larkham out of retirement after the Brumbies lost both their playmakers with serious injuries.
White said he wanted to recruit a senior player for the remainder of the Super 15 season to help his inexperienced back-line and Larkham, who turns 38 later this month, was an option.
“If he [Larkham] says to me he would play, then of course we will go with that,” White told the <em>Canberra Times</em>.
Larkham played out his final two seasons for the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan before returning to Canberra in November 2010 to take up the role of attack coach for the Brumbies.
“He runs all of our plays, he knows our plays — we would be crazy not to ask him, and it is a real option I could have Stephen Larkham running around for three games,” White said.
“I would never force him to play, but when two fly-halves go down you have to think outside the box … If we think he can add value to us then we will pursue it — he’s 37 but there aren’t many guys out there and the ones who are, they aren’t much younger … if he says to me he would play, then of course we will go with that.”
White said while Larkham was an option, the Brumbies were also searching for Australian players abroad, reportedly including Matt Giteau, Peter Hewat, Craig Wing and Craig Gower.
The Brumbies, who lead the Australian Conference, have a bye this weekend, and White said he would wait until early next week before deciding whether to add an experienced player to his squad.
The Brumbies’ fly-half spot currently lies vacant after Christian Lealiifano suffered a season-ending broken ankle last weekend, while Matt Toomua has had his knee rebuilt. — AFP