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Larkham back with Brumbies - as a coach

Wallabies great Stephen Larkham has returned to the Brumbies as their new attack coach for the next two Super 15 seasons.

Thursday, 22 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Wallabies great Stephen Larkham has returned to the Brumbies as their new attack coach for the next two Super 15 seasons.

Larkham, 36, has spent the past three seasons in Japan but will again make Canberra his home after securing an early release from the Ricoh Black Rams.

The mercurial playmaker will be joined on the coaching staff by fellow Brumbies returnees Justin Harrison and Marco Caputo.

Head coach Andy Friend said Larkham, a veteran of 96 Tests for the Wallabies and a member of the 1999 Rugby World Cup-winning team, would make a valuable addition to the side.

"Steve's credentials as a player are second to none and he is renowned as being one of the playing masterminds of the modern game," Friend said.

"He's always had an attacking mentality as a player and it will excite a large majority of the Brumbies faithful to see him returning to the club for 2011."

Ex-Wallabies lock Harrison, who called time on his playing career earlier this month, will stay on at the Brumbies as forward coach, while former Wallabies hooker Caputo will take over the reins from Bill Young as the side's scrum coach.

"Justin has always been a leader within the sides he's played for," Friend said. "He brings with him an incredible amount of intellectual property and a tremendous enthusiasm, and I've got no doubt he'll make a seamless transition into the world of coaching."

"Marco has already had an involvement with the side this season as our assistant scrum coach. He's very passionate about his rugby and he's done a fantastic job, not only with the (Brumbies) Academy and assisting with our scrums this season, but he's also reinstated Gungahlin as one of the teams to beat in the Canberra competition."

Brumbies CEO Andrew Fagan says he welcomes the trio's considerable rugby experience.

"Each of them has extensive playing experience at provincial level - both in Australia and overseas, as well as spending considerable time as part of some outstanding Wallabies sides," he said.

"It's exciting to be able to bring these players back to the Brumbies as part of our coaching staff, and along with Andy Friend and Tony Rea, we're confident that they will be able to revisit the success that they have experienced as players with the ACT."

Harrison and Caputo will begin their tenure immediately, while Larkham will return to Canberra in November.

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