Rookies try to fill Larkham's giant shoes

[Flamethrower]

Rookies try to fill Larkham's giant shoes
AAP | Tuesday, 22 January 2008
Rookies try to fill Larkham's giant shoes - Rugby news & coverage - Stuff.co.nz


The ACT Brumbies' first five-eighth stocks are so slim following the departure of Stephen Larkham, they will rely on rookie-contracted players to back up utility Julian Huxley at No 10 during this Super 14 rugby season.

Larkham's move to Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams after 12 seasons in Canberra left a hole large enough for the Wallabies to fill.

And, tellingly, the Brumbies have stockpiled their rookie ranks with five-eighths and coach Laurie Fisher is banking on schoolboy signing Matt Toomua or Christian Lealiifano breaking through in 2008.

Huxley spent some time at No 10 last season, covering when Larkham was injured, but played the majority of the year at fullback, including six tests for Australia during Chris Latham's recovery from knee surgery.

He is almost certain to run out at first five-eighth when the Brumbies play their opening Super 14 match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on February 15.

"That's highly likely at the start given that Matty Toomua is fresh out of school but we're really happy with how Christian Lealiifano's progressing," Fisher said today.

"I think (Huxley's) an excellent 10.

"He's got an excellent appreciation of the game, good vision, good kicking, he's a good defender so we think he can produce something for us."

Should Huxley get injured though, Fisher insisted he won't be shunting inside centre Gene Fairbanks back to pivot and will promote one of his youngsters.

Huxley hasn't figured in the speculation over who will inherit Larkham's test jumper, with most of the talk surrounding Berrick Barnes, Matt Giteau and New South Wales prodigy Kurtley Beale.

Fisher isn't tempted to repeat the Wallabies experiment with Mark Gerrard at first five-eighth and is likely to need the speedster at fullback with early season injuries to outside centre Stirling Mortlock, winger Clyde Rathbone and replacement fullback Peter Betham.

"We're light in the back three which doesn't give us an opportunity to experiment any further inside with Mark," Fisher said.

[Burgs]

Rookies try to fill Larkham's giant shoes

Just how big are they Surely they are only elevens or twelves???
Perhaps a little bit of paper in the toe or a second pair of socks...