Stephen Larkham re-signs with Australian Rugby and Brumbies Rugby for 2007

Qantas Wallabies and CA Brumbies flyhalf Stephen Larkham has signed a new one-year contract with the Australian Rugby Union and Brumbies Rugby.

The new deal will see him through to the end of Australia’s Rugby World Cup campaign in France next year.

Larkham will play one more season with the Brumbies, with whom he is one of just two remaining foundation players alongside his long-time scrumbase partner George Gregan.

The majestic playmaker will turn 33 next season, which is likely to be his last for the CA Brumbies and the Qantas Wallabies.

“I was always looking to play one more season with the Brumbies and the Wallabies with a view to finishing my Australian career after the World Cup,” said Larkham.

“The Brumbies are like my Club team and the new contract will see me through 12 years with them, which I’m extremely proud of,” he said.

Larkham debuted for the Brumbies in their inaugural Super 12 match in 1996 at outside centre in a victory over Northern Transvaal.

He started his international career at fullback before he was converted to the flyhalf position by Australian Coach Rod Macqueen in 1998, where he eventually stamped his mark as one of the game’s finest players.

Although the quietly-spoken star was christened with the nick-name ‘Bernie’ (after a dead character in the movie ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’) on his first Wallaby tour, Larkham is a valuable leader for the CA Brumbies, according to coach Laurie Fisher.

“He’s a tremendously gifted player with a phenomenal understanding of the game,” says Fisher.

“He’s a very key player and an important part of our leadership group. Having Stephen in the team for another year will be invaluable for us in terms of developing our next line of halves talent,” he said.

Larkham clocked up his 100^th Super Rugby appearance for the Brumbies this season, becoming just the third player to do so in tournament history.

The star pivot famously booted Australia into the World Cup Final in 1999 when his drop goal sailed through the posts to break the dead-lock in extra-time of the semi final against South Africa.

He said the goal of competing in his third Rugby World Cup will be his main motivation over the next two seasons.

“The World Cup is the pinnacle event in rugby and it’s every test players’ dream to win the World Cup. I was fortunate enough to do that with the Wallabies in 1999 and then to compete in the final in 2003,” he said.

“There was an empty feeling in the team in 2003 after we lost the Final and I’m looking forward to helping the Wallabies win back the World Cup.”

Qantas Wallaby Coach John Connolly says Larkham’s announcement is good news.

“Stephen is a world class player and has made a fantastic contribution to Australian Rugby.  He will play an important role leading up to, and during the 2007 Rugby World Cup,” said Connolly.

Brumbies Rugby CEO Andrew Fagan said that Larkham’s new contract would provide the star pivot with a fitting finale to his Australian Rugby career.

“Stephen has given a fantastic service to the Brumbies and the Wallabies over the past decade and it is fitting that he gets the opportunity to play one more season and finish his Australian career with another World Cup,” said Fagan.