Bernie’s 100th in the bull ring
14 Feb 2006
Bernie Larkham will play his 100th match for the Brumbies in the expanded Vodacom Super 14, formerly the Super 12.
Larkham has been named at flyhalf for Friday’s match against the Bulls, with coach Laurie Fisher beefing up his pack by starting with former Australian under 21 loose-forward Jono Tawake at No 8.
The Brumbies, two seasons ago, were beaten by the Bulls in a match marred by weather and last year only just scraped past the Bulls in Canberra.
Tawake’s selection means George Smith will play as an opensider again.
Tawake and hooker David Palavi are the only changes in the starting XV to that which beat the Force in round one. Veteran Wallabies hooker Jeremy Paul is injured and was not considered for selection.
in the starting team at hooker, to replace the injured Jeremy Paul.
Larkham, who made his debut in the inaugural match for the Brumbies (at outside centre) against Transvaal in 1996, is the second Brumby to reach the milestone, with George Gregan’s 112 matches the most ever played by a Brumby.
Fisher has named 11 former and current Wallabies in his starting XV.
Brumbies (to play Bulls): 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Clyde Rathbone, 13 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Mark Gerrard, 10 Stephen Larkham, 9 George Gregan, 8 Jone Tawake, 7 George Smith, 6 Daniel Heenan, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Nic Henderson, 2 David Palavi, 1 Bill Young. Subs: 16 James McCormack, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Gene Fairbanks, 22 Joel Wilson
36 Comments
14 Feb 2006, 15:57 pm
McCormack is a bit of an unknown. NSW Country rep from Crookwell outside of Canberra.
14 Feb 2006, 16:01 pm
How Larkem is still playing I’ll never know.
That guy is gonna be in a wheelchair by the time he’s 40.
14 Feb 2006, 16:01 pm
apparantly bernie’s as thick as a plank, bladdy good flyhalf though, very unpredictable, not even he knows what he’s going to do next.
14 Feb 2006, 16:03 pm
Larkham has a good health policy and is an energizer bunny on the field.
14 Feb 2006, 16:07 pm
Now here is a guy that can genuinely be called a great of the game. Been around for the past decade and proved his worth by winning the big stuff. One of the TRUELY GREAT players of the past decade
14 Feb 2006, 16:09 pm
The Brumbie backline sizzles (at least on paper) – I not to familiar with the forwards. Should be a good match with the Bulls. I hope the Bulls do not underestimate them.
14 Feb 2006, 16:11 pm
Campbell is a useful lineout option. Heenan is a former Red (like Dell got frustrated with them and left) who can cover lock. Wallace Harrison covers blindside and lock. Samo is fit but still is behind a long list of locks.
14 Feb 2006, 16:16 pm
along with flecky of course saffa_guy
14 Feb 2006, 16:17 pm
Have to agree with Saffa_Guy.
Larkham is a legend, one of the true greats of the modern game.
that said. Bulls for the win by 10 and picking up the bonus point.
GO BULLS!!!!!
14 Feb 2006, 16:28 pm
Possibly the best modern flyhalf….
14 Feb 2006, 16:31 pm
Larkham is good. Too bad for him his 100th game is against the Bulls in Pretoria. Brumbies don’t tour well. 2 Years ago lost 2/2 against Bulls and Stormers. Last year even got a hiding from the Sharks.
Reckon he’ll be in for a bad time on the field. Brumbies didn’t have a good first game against newcomers the Force(who actually lost against the Cheeatahs at home in a practice match).
Thing don’t look too rosy for his 100th game.
But congrats and good luck.
14 Feb 2006, 16:31 pm
according to Naas Botha he is an ordinary one.
14 Feb 2006, 16:32 pm
Brumbies beat the Stormers at Newlands.
14 Feb 2006, 16:35 pm
everybody beats the streamers at newlands – nothing new.
14 Feb 2006, 16:37 pm
Ja the great Flecky along with Faffa Knoetze, real legends of the game
14 Feb 2006, 16:40 pm
Le Fou,
Don’t forget Calla “wit skoene” Scholtz!
14 Feb 2006, 16:43 pm
Jaaasus, now there is a legend
14 Feb 2006, 16:45 pm
Neil Burger, the poor mans Jonah. Just gooi the ball to Neil, he could bulldoze a highway open down the touchline my china
14 Feb 2006, 16:52 pm
steve is truly one of the best flyhalves of our time.His consistency is immaculate and he is very unpredictable.Truly to me he is one of the greatest flyhalves australia has ever had.Im sure he wont dissapoint on friday and he will have a humdinger of a game as always.Goodluck to him and im sure he will entertain us with his beutifull style of rugby.Oh and the bulls are going to feel the wrath of a awsome brumbies team at home nogal.
14 Feb 2006, 17:04 pm
Ja well no fine. Lets talk Friday evening ma.
14 Feb 2006, 17:08 pm
Wow, im impressed 19 comments down the thread line and no mention of Rattlebones. I still think that after all was said and done he is a pleb. Common Ndungane take the White boy out, show him why players of colour are worth their salt in SA (says the dorky white boy tapping away at his keyboard).
14 Feb 2006, 17:10 pm
Bernie will get a “pakslae” from Danie.
14 Feb 2006, 17:13 pm
Given up on old Rattlebones. He is not worth the hassel.
14 Feb 2006, 17:19 pm
Brumbies are going down.
Bonus point win for the Bulls.
14 Feb 2006, 17:35 pm
What’s the biggest bone in a sheeps arse?……………Rattlebones.
14 Feb 2006, 17:37 pm
Just leave Rathbone.
He made his choice and I have accepted it.
We will cry when the day comes and he is one of the world’s best.
14 Feb 2006, 17:44 pm
Rathbone wont ever be the worlds best.
Habana will have him for breakfast my man.
14 Feb 2006, 17:48 pm
Aussie side are similar to the sa sides in that they dont tour that well and they usually get a better schedule than us. Somehow the travel bug doesnt affect the nz side they dont seem to give a f were they r playing.
Larkam is a brilliant player but he doesnt really perform away from home can only really remember a handful of games were he dominated away from home in oz he is outstanding though.
14 Feb 2006, 18:02 pm
Ja, and don’t forget the alltidude, I recon we should alway’s play the toughest internationals up here.
The Oke’s seriosly run out of oxy’s after 50mins.
14 Feb 2006, 18:59 pm
Thats why the Cats will get 13 on the Chiefs 10
I will **** myself if that really happens, but hey you got to be hopeful.
14 Feb 2006, 19:15 pm
Larkham missed most of the games last season, and imho that had a lot to do with the Brumbies poor record. They beat the Cats and lost to the Sharks in SA last year, but then everyone beats the Cats. Rush up defence against Gregan and Larkham, forcing him inside to the loose forwards or to kick to the Bulls back 3.
They actually have one of the better records at Loftus, winning in 2000 and 2002.
14 Feb 2006, 19:24 pm
As much as I passionately hate the arseies (aussies) STEVEN LARKHAN I take my hat off to u man!!
I know u look like a stoned giraffe tryin to find his way home but still bloody brilliant!!!!
great to hear he recoverd from cancer. go well
15 Feb 2006, 02:05 am
In last year’s super 12 larkham came back too early after his operation to remove a melanoma. The stiches popped and he had to come off the field.
15 Feb 2006, 04:15 am
LOL Jason! “like a stoned giraffe” – great description of Larkham. The man has undeniable class though. He will be worrying more about the altitude factor than the Bulls backline I am sure.
Agree Jondood, Rathbone’s good. His decision to leave SA was his to make and the Loftus faithful that boo him will just motivate him further. Will be a great game but can you Bull supporters please muffle that PA wanker at Loftus? If he blurts out his wisdom on Aussies being sheep shaggers in public again, my mates in Aussie are going to be onto the dumb 1-dimensional Japie thing with me again.
15 Feb 2006, 06:59 am
Rathbone’s brothers are future Brumbies
15 Feb 2006, 11:58 am
out wide, the PA was fired after that incident
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