Larkham to bypass Europe

[Jehna]

Larkham to bypass Europe

By Bret Harris
October 23, 2007

AUSTRALIA five-eighth Stephen Larkham is poised to forgo playing for a rich club in Europe and finish his career in Japan.

Larkham, 33, originally planned to play in Europe for two years after the World Cup in France and then look to play in Japan for another two seasons.

But he will almost certainly go straight to Japan in either April or June for at least two years. Larkham's manager, Jason MacArthur, is talking to several clubs and expects to have the matter finalised soon.

"A number of Japanese teams have expressed interest in Stephen and one of them will be a very good option," MacArthur said. "Hopefully, within two weeks we will know which way he is going.

"He was always going to Japan at some point. Now it looks like it will be sooner rather than later. It's more than likely he will go to Japan in 2008 rather than 2009-10."

Larkham had signed a two-year contract with Edinburgh, but the deal fell through because of a financial dispute between the privately owned club and the Scottish Rugby Union. He was trying to negotiate a deal with another European club when he sustained a knee injury, which ended his World Cup campaign in France.

While Larkham will resume running in two weeks, he may not have been able to secure the deal he was seeking to play in the highly demanding European competition.

French club Toulouse showed the most interest, but Larkham decided he would be better off resting and getting ready for a season in Japan.
Japanese rugby is far less demanding physically and he will be required to play far fewer games.

"The earliest he could go would be April and the latest would be June," MacArthur said."

If Larkham went to Japan in April or June, he would be in Canberra for most, if not all, of the Super 14 series, which runs from February to May.

But Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher said there was virtually no chance of Larkham playing for the team next year.

The Brumbies have already filled their roster and would not be able to afford Larkham.

"Unless Steve wanted to play for nothing we wouldn't have the money to pay him," Fisher said. "If he played more than three games, the minimum contract is $50,000. That in itself would rule him out."

Meanwhile, Australian referees boss Peter Marshall believes rugby union should adopt rugby league's benefit-of-the-doubt rule for television match officials' decisions on tries.

Australian referee Stuart Dickinson made a crucial decision as TMO in the World Cup final on Sunday with a no-try ruling against England winger Mark Cueto, whose foot went into touch before he grounded the ball in the left-hand corner.

While Marshall supported Dickinson's decision, saying it was correct, he said the benefit-of-the-doubt rule would be good for the game when it was unclear whether a try had been scored.

"If you can't tell whether the guy actually touched the line or not, he will get the benefit of the doubt that way. It should be more leaning toward the attacking side rather than the defending side."

AAP

[chook]

Onegaishimasu, Larkham-san, biru nomimaska?

[GIGS20]

This is way off topic but it was mentioned in the article. I don't think benefit of the doubt is a good idea, refs should rule using solid guidelines, not wishy washy judgments, The more clarity there is in the laws, the less effect a biased referee can have on a game. when judgment and supposition enter the field of refereeing, that's when a ref can give it to the home team coz he knows he'll get shouted a beer after the game.

Now Ecky, I'm not suggesting that this thought even enters any referees mind, more than likely it doesn't, but what are we doing to protect the reputation of our refs when we allow the possibility that the suggestion be made.

It should be....a try is scored in the following circumstances ..........any other circumstance shall result in no try being called. If we find a circumstance arises where we (as a collective) believe a try should have been awarded add it to the rule.

[wilko]

Should do well in the lineouts...

[prop53]

Trust backs to be way off the mark

[gotheforce]

I might be heading over to japan or Hong Kong for a season next year. I'd love to hope and dream that i might have the opportunity to play alongside Larkham next eyar if he does go to Japan. or maybe even play against him.