From the period 2000-2009, just nine different men have worn the Wallaby Ten jersey in a test match. They are:
Steve Larkham (69); Matt Giteau (31); Elton Flatley (6); Matt Rogers (6); Berrick Barnes (5); Rod Kafer (3); Nathan Grey (1); Sam Norton-Knight (1); Julian Huxley (1)
Interestingly if you discount Bernie Larkham and Gits, then the cumulative starts of the rest of the players is just 23. It shows the dominance of Larkham for starters but also the reliance on Matt Giteau as his replacement.
Anyway, the team at G&GR didn’t have too many dramas coming up with our three leading candidates this time around. They are:
Elton Flatley
Elton Flatley
Picking the third man for this list was always going to be tough after the first two effectively picked themself. What got Flats the mark? A big factor was his composure under pressure and pure dependability. Because he played in the era of Steve Larkham, when he played it was generally as a replacement for the injured Bernie. Because Larkham was such a crucial player, it was always such a blow to have out of the team, and conversely, Flatley in the team.
But many people forget that it was Elton who played 10 in that crucial 3rd test against the Lions in 01. And again in the upset win over England at Twickenham in 2004. The England win in particular was a credit to Flatley as he marshalled an injured impact Wallaby outfit to their first win at English HQ against the Poms for six years.
As it would turn out the test would be the last start for Elton, a singly appearance off the bench against the All Blacks in 2005 would be his last in Wallaby colours. Soon after constant head injuries would force him to premature retirement and he left the scene how he played his footy. With minimal fuss and flair. Oh, except for the couple of months on celebrity survivor with the glamour models, actors and musicians. Other than that….he just slipped into the shadows.
Matt Giteau
Matt Giteau
Ever since he broke into the Wallaby team as a bolt from the blue in 2002 it seemed Giteau was the man to replace Steve Larkham in the Wallaby 10 shirt. Much of this was because we all wondered just how much longer Bernie’s body would hold up. It is long forgotten that Gits’s first test start was as fly half. Sure it was against the major minnows of Namibia, but it was certainly a pointer of things to come.
An apprenticeship served outside Larkham at the Brumbies, and the Wallabies, was broken when Giteau decided to head West to the Force and spend some quality time as first receiver. Perhaps there was frustration when he was thrown into the number 9 jersey for a number of tests as well. He handled the move well, in my opinion, but he craved for the space out wider and the responsibility of being the chief play maker.
It is a battle that still remains. Is he better served drifting wider and running in the greater spaces, or do the Wallabies use him best as the key ball player. In form there is no doubting he is the Wallabies’ best back, and if that’s the case we need his hands on the ball as much as possible. His two full seasons at 10, in 2008 and 2009, have each seen him score in excess of 150 points for the season. A sign, perhaps, that why he is still adjusting to the role he is a vital part of a firing Wallaby backline.
Steve Larkham
Steve Larkham
Well, surely this is a case of put down the glasses? No competition right? But let’s take a moment to recall the glory that was Steven Larkham. It is easy to forget that Larkham started the decade, having starred at the RWC in 1999, with just a tick over 30 caps. Less than Cliffy Palu, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell have now. That was where he was it. Still pretty bloody green, I guess you could say. Even more remarkable is that he had less than 20 tests as a fly half.
But he was still such an dominant figure. Clichés tend to be run ragged in rugby circles but the one describing Larkham as ‘ghosting’ through the defence was always so accurate to me. At one time he’d be on his side of the defensive line and then, before you knew it and when it seemed least possible, he’d be on the other side as if magically appearing behind the opposition tacklers.
And then there was is his kicking game which improved remarkably over his career. He gained the distance and accuracy to rival most in world rugby. But where his game stood him apart from opposition 10′s was his sheer physicality. His willingness to take on the advantage line, ball in hand, regardless of the size and ugliness of the forward pack in front of him. Likewise his absolute enthusiasm for getting dirty in defence. He loved to get one over his opposition in a tackle, whenever he could. Put simply, a magical player, very much once in a generation.
And there we stand. I don’t expect to see much argument as to the fly half of the decade. But who do you reckon have been our top three? Does Flats deserve his spot? Has Berrick already proven to be more accomplished than Elton, or even Gits? And what about that man Matty Rogers. A freak for sure, did he ever really get to show it off at ten for the Wallabies? Join the discussion both below and at the forum, and don’t forget to vote!
[poll id="50"]
The artist formerly known as "Noddy" grew up in a golden age of Queensland Rugby and wakes up every morning hoping that THAT day will be the start of a new one. I like to reminisce. Follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/RugbyReg. 
What? No Quade Cooper?
Larkham also ended Andrew Merhtens career by making fly half such a physical position.
Hey Noddy, another great read, but one issue. Flats came off injured quite early (around 20mins in) in the ’04 game at Twickenham. Gits was playing 12 and played 10 the rest of the match, kicking the goals and setting up JP’s try in the corner.
did you need three people, if anyone other than larkham gets a vote here it better come with a bloody good reason.
Im expecting Scarfman to vote for SNK
Nah – he was awful. Threw a couple of intercepts IIRC. It ruined his confidence, is how I’m seeing it.
For me Larkham was the best fly since Ella. I even rate him over Noddy. The man was a freak really as was shown in the 99RWC semi against the Boks.
Hadn’t potted a field goal since probably his junior days and here we are in the tightest game in the history of the RWC to that point. Out of nowhere and with such nonchalance, he pots a 47 meter field goal to break the deadlock and the Boks hearts and catapult us into the final.
His acceleration was deceptive. He ofetn just seemed to be loping along seemingly going nowhere but into a certain tackle. Then he would slide through a millimeter gap and be leaving everyone on the field for dead. Deceptive and deadly, he worked like a rapier.
Bernie was a genius and one of the all time greats from any Nation.
There is only one choice,LARKHAM.
Bernie is a legend
How about once we get through picking the best Wallaby team of the decade we pick the worst…
Plenty to choose from in every position but I reckon Two-Dads would be the first name down…
Sadly Epi we would need to probably pick two teams and then get them to play off.
We’ve definately had some highs and lows this decade but it hasn’t been great since 04. Hopefully the good times are set to roll again.
I want the all time disciplined team, you know wendell, tuqiri, walker, (quade?)etc.
They would be pretty good on their day.
His physicality was immense and loved the rough stuff. Ever notice how when there was a bit of a broo-ha-ha he would be one of the first on the scene? His fight with Carlos going over the fence was fun to watch – I only wish the cameramen got better angles on it.
He had a decent boot on him, his play making skills was probably the best we will ever see in the game of rugby. His speed was elusive. He is without a doubt the flyhalf of the decade.
only one word can describe larkham LEGEND!
I heard somewhere that mark gerrard was trialed at 10 on tour sometime, is this true?
Yeah, back in 06 when connelly was coach.
One of the midweek games in the end of year tour.
They lost that game to the osperys.
Probably the game where he should have been trialed in fullback as he never played there for the Wallabies.
Just watch this bit of brilliance from Larkham, it’s the first try from that game against the all blacks in 2000.
beautiful stuff, But can someone PLEASE make a highlights video of stephen larkham, theres got to be heaps of great footage out there!
Ah, vintage Larkham. When I think Bernie, I think that exact moment of him sliding through the All Black line. Tremendous!
… and that cracker of a pass at pace. No one else could do that.
its time to put bez barnes in at 10. let him soak it up there, and put gits in at 12.
id rather see gits be the best 2nd receiver than a great flyhalf imo. bez barnes looks good with ball in hand would be a v physical flyhalf and if they left him there it could turn out to be a good switch
Where the fark is Nathan Spooner?
played in 1999
Seb V,
I have to agree, Bernie was probably the best attacking fly half that world rugby has ever seen. So he definately deserves a huge highlight package.
Sure Carter’s the complete collection but he just doesn’t have the attacking flare which Larkham did. The ability that Larkham could find a gap, stroll through it and allow support to follow through was just an amazing feat. Which had me follow rugby religiously especially the Wallabies.
The good thing too about Larkham is he didn’t have the attitude that everyone else had. He wouldn’t react to the media attention, and he kept a cool head. I’ll never forget Larkham’s prescence in the Wallabies team, he pretty much achieved everything in rugby except a Lions trophy because of negative play.
His elusiveness had him marked by the inside centre of the opposition as well as the fly half. This allowed Larkham to have his inside centre used as a first five. Which was the fantastic thing about Larkham, he expolited his opposition.
well said!
Hard to say ever Chief. If I had to pick between Larkham and Ella for instance I would end up with no finger nails, a compulsive twitch over one eye and a drinking problem (got that now anyway).
In the end though, I think I’d put Ella on the field first. Probably bring Bernie on at half time. AARGH! What a dilemma!
Ella could play fullback or inside centre.
well….his brothers could..
you’re kidding me. Larkham > Ella.
If Larkham retired in 02 we’d all say he was the greatest.
Ellas career was shorter than that, and so was his passing.
Give Dan Carter, Lynagh or Ella the wallabies tight 5 from 03-07 and see them lose game after game…
Larkham is the greatest rugby player who ever lived.
Couldn’t agree more, he made Stirling Mortlock
Yeah Larkham is IT for me and my wife who still laments his retirement from top rugby.
He is just so far ahead of the rest that there is no question at all who the greatest is. It’s a tragedy that he was injured so much especially late in his career. The lines he ran were just so awesome in their subtlety and he created so much indecision in the defence it’s no woner he was able to just stroll through gaps like they were 100 metres wide.
Aspiring No. 10s have no greater role model than this magician of the space that can’t be seeen. Even at the top of his career when Dan Carter was starting to gain the accolades of thousands (you can’t say millions in NZ) Larkham still silenced their mouths.
He’s like Tim Horan, John Eales and the Ella brothers he is the benchmark for all who follow.
I too have to come to praise Bernie, but the rest of the list shows the problem we’ve had here for the rest of the decade, and this year showed it’s still not fixed.
well with the bar set by larkham i dont think anyone will ever live up to his talents. I do however think berrick can be a very good and competitive fly-half.
Gagger. It’s sad really but we have really had only two “Greats” develop in any position during the noughties, George Smith and Stirlo. The other Greats we have had all started in the nineties. So it’s not surprising that it’s been so hard to replace Bernie. I suppose Latham came through in the Noughties as well. So make that three perhaps.
Name the rest; Burke, Larkham, Eales Kefu, Gregan, Herbert, Roff et al, all started their careers in the nineties. Gits may well end up being one of our Greats but he isn’t there yet in my view.
But when you consider all the fantastic players that played for the Wallabies in the nineties, and there are way to many to list here, then the noughties look very barren indeed.
However we need not despair. There are some outstanding prospects coming through and I believe another golden era is on the way.
Don’t get me wrong guys, I can see some real talent there now
Genia
AAC
Robbo
Palu
TPN
Pocock
to name a few, just haven’t nailed 10 yet.
Agree. Time to give BB a go. Problem is that Gits will probably get the sulks.
BB is the man! he’ll be a solid fly-half as long as he doesnt get injured. Im more worried about the fullback to be honest!
the forewards of the decade are going to be so hard, minus george smith….
I expect eals and vickerman…
maybe paul….kef…..farout
Noddy, shed some light soon, my memory and vote counts on it….
I love the question…Ella or Bernie….very very tough. You could argue we never saw the best of Ella as he got lazy and retired at 25!!!. I can still rmember watching him and Llyod Walker playing for randwick in early 30′s and basically walking around and through opposite backlines.
Bernie is a legend and without peer this decade. For me he is one of the greatest 5/8th to ever play the game. Much better than Noddy
For those who can remember Ella at his best…you would still have to pick Ella over Bernie. If you can find some club rugby highlights…he was truely the best who ever played at 5/8. Bernie a very close second.
BTW. Gits has to play 12 and live with it. Barnes is a way better 10. Give gits a few more years at 12 and he will match Timmy in all time status.
The greatest ‘skill’ of a flyhalf is to control the game, the pace of the game, the tempo etc. And Larkham is the only one who comes close this rare ability in world rugby.
Larkham was a legend. He had to stop playing at the top level if he wanted to have any chance of walking after 50. He was so committed to the cause that his body received some serious punishment. While Ella’s attacking skills were on par with Bernies, and his kicking game slightly superior, he lacked that commitment and physicality that made Larkham one of the greatest ever Wallabies.
BB will make a very good test 5/8 but who would back him to be be the Wallabies first choice 10 for the next decade with his proness to injury?
I’d like to see Deans persevere with the current setup with Gits and BB being interchangeable until Beale or Toomua mature and become legitimate alternates.
I’m guessing Cooper is no longer in the running.
Respectfully; Ella shades Larkham and it nearly kills me to say it. Witness his four tries in each test of the 84 Grand Slam. Not even Bernie could do that nor do I think any other 5/8 that ever played.
It does no disservice for Bernie to be ranked along with Ella. They were like Einstien and Newton were to science.
Sorry Larkham is better than Ella.
The professional era makes for tougher competition and he stood out just as much.
Even if Ella is a better ball runner and passer, there is no way he was as tough a defender.
You’re probably right Pedro. It is difficult to compare players from different era’s. And I agree that Ella was never asked to do the defensive work that Larkham did.
Bernie is one of my all time favourites and he deserves to be called a genuine “Great” of the game.
For me though there was something about Ella that set him a little apart. He was mesmerising to watch at times and he could do things that no one had the right to be able to do.
Love Bernie to death but I just think Ella was special.
Larkham is probably the best #10 of all time!!! And I’m a Saffa…