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As the Wallabies’ most lauded halves pair, Stephen Larkham and George Gregan guided the team to their last Lions series win in 2001 and a World Cup triumph two years later.
On the field, both men were master problem solvers, but when asked how they would shut down the expected British and Irish Lions Test halves pairing of Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park, the former Brumbies teammates struggled for answers.
Ahead of coaching the Brumbies against the Lions on Wednesday in Canberra, Larkham watched Russell play with his English club side Bath and also relied on the experience of facing Chiefs No.10 Damian McKenzie in Super Rugby to help replicate what will happen at GIO Stadium.
“I think he’s been a step ahead of everyone else, and we’ve seen that with the Lions,” Larkham said.
“I’ve been pretty impressed with the way that he’s played [for the Lions]... I think he’s definitely the form 10 in their squad at the moment ... If I give you an example of Damian McKenzie, he’s sort of similar in that he does control the game when he touches the ball, he is very dangerous.
“I think that’s very similar to Finn’s ability to get a pass away, to make the right decision when passing and seeing space, it’s not something you can shut down.”
Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park of the British & Irish Lions celebrate after their victory against the Queensland RedsCredit: Getty Images
When thoughts turned to Australia’s halves situation, Larkham said the green and gold playmaking stocks need more time to develop. That includes his future Brumbies player Tane Edmed.
“I think there’s been glimpses from everyone who’s had the opportunity (to play five-eighth),” Larkham said.
“Tom Lynagh, Ben Donaldson, Noah [Lolesio] ... Tane [Edmed] has been on the fringes for a while.
They’ve all shown really good glimpses in Wallabies colours, but they haven’t had the chance to cement their position for long enough. I think it’s a developing space for Australia.
Stephen Larkham and George Gregan with the Wallabies in 2007Credit: Getty Images
“If you look at Finn Russell, who is the mainstay for Scotland, the form five-eighth over in the English Premiership, he’s had time in the seat, and we just haven’t had the guys who’ve had the time in the seat.”
Unlike his former five-eighth, who is in Canberra for business ahead of facing the Lions on Wednesday, Gregan has travelled to the capital from his home in London for pleasure, catching up with friends, family and former teammates.
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Gregan was once the master of getting inside the heads of his former opponents. He said that the same rules cannot apply to a player of the class of Irish scrum Gibson-Park.
“I don’t think you ever really shut down a player like Jamison Gibson-Park, you don’t really shut down someone like an [Antoine] Dupont or an Aaron Smith, they’re just quality players and they see the field,” Gregan said.
“He [Gibson-Park] sees the field very well ... he’s got a very good kicking game and he’s just got a really good feel for the game, when to run, when to pass, when to kick...
“If he’s got good playmakers on either side of him, which he does and which he will, it’s really, really hard.
“If you focus too much on him, then the players around him have more space. So that’s what makes him such a great playmaker and that’s why he’s been consistently one of the best nines in the world for a long period of time now.”
All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.
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