Stephen Larkham - the Wallabies' ace in the hole

By WYNNE GRAY

Forget the absence through injury, if you can, of Toutai Kefu.

The exit of the massive No 8 will hurt the Wallabies in their defence of the World Cup.

But it will be even more damaging for the world champions if first five-eighths Stephen Larkham fails to fire in this tournament.

Without Larkham for most of the season, the Wallabies have struggled to find any great rhythm to their play. A fractured elbow meant he got little time in the test arena and the Wallabies stuttered.

Elton Flatley was tried, but by comparison is only an earnest performer, while Nathan Grey was acknowledged as just a stop-gap for one test against England.

The best replacement would be Matt Giteau, and while he looks an outstanding prospect, he has to be classified as just that.

If Larkham stays injury free and sparks, he will reduce the pressure on long-time team-mate George Gregan and provide the Wallabies with the direction they have missed this season.

His partnership with Gregan has become instinctive and reliable in the heat of international battle. Their composure helps to settle the rest of the side.

The 29-year-old Larkham attacks defences with his lateral running, where his pace tests the best tacklers. His defence is normally solid, and his mixed tactical kicking expertise is the only uncertain part of his repertoire.

But who can forget the drop goal he hammered in extra time at the last World Cup to get the Wallabies past the Springboks in their semifinal.

"Larkham is a class act and I'm certain the Wallabies want to get that lethal combination with George Gregan running again," former All Black great Grant Fox assessed. "When you play together for as long as they have, you develop a sixth sense."

Larkham's rise has been remarkable. Eight years ago he was playing halfback in reserve-grade club rugby in Canberra before beginning his test career on the wing and fullback.

His switch to five-eighths in 1998 was overseen by coach Rod Macqueen in a decision which transformed the Wallaby backline.

For those who believe in omens, Larkham was injured during the Super 12 in 1999, returning to Wallaby colours only for the World Cup, when he was instrumental in the side's triumph.

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