Former Wallabies five-eighth and 1999 World Cup winner Stephen Larkham is the latest Australian to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
The 102-Test veteran was part of three Rugby World Cup campaigns, which included victory in 1999 and the loss to England in the 2003 final in Sydney.
Larkham’s first two seasons in Test rugby in 1996-97 were at fullback.
He flourished to an even greater degree after being switched to five-eighth in 1998 and played the vast majority of his remaining Tests there before bowing out of international rugby in 2007.
Renowned for his elusive running, Larkham formed an enduing partnership with halfback and Wallabies captain George Gregan, a long-time teammate at the Brumbies.
The current Wallabies assistant coach joins Gregan and 12 other Australian players in the Hall of Fame.
World Cup-winning coaches Bob Dwyer (1991) and Rod Macqueen (1999), and referee Roger Vanderfield are non-playing Australians to be inducted.
“Stephen was already established as one of the modern-day greats of our game and his influence in Australian Rugby continues as he coaches and mentors the current Qantas Wallabies squad as an assistant coach,” Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said.
“His playing legacy is one of creative brilliance and an unwavering pride in the gold Wallabies jersey.”
AUSTRALIA’S WORLD RUGBY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
Stephen Larkham (2018)
Danny Carroll (2016)
Tim Horan (2015)
Tom Richards (2015)
Michael Lynagh (2014)
David Campese (2013)
John Thornett (2013)
George Gregan (2013)
Mark Ella (2013)
Ken Catchpole (2013)
Tom Lawton (2013)
Bob Dwyer (2011) – Coach
Roger Vanderfield (2011) – Referee
Sir Nicholas Shehadie (2011)
Nick Farr-Jones (2011)
Rod Macqueen (2011) – Coach
John Eales (2007)