Scott Robertson won seven consecutive titles with the Crusaders but lasted just two years with the All Blacks, unable to make the enormous transition from Super Rugby to Test rugby.
In fact, his experience with the Crusaders actively worked against him. After seven years enjoying all the in-built advantages of being the Crusaders coach – ample All Blacks and a constant stream of the country’s best young talent coming through the door – he seemed stunned when Test rivals started punching back.
Les Kiss will soon take over as Wallabies coach.Credit: Getty Images
There are some similarities between the Brumbies and the Crusaders. Both teams have cracked the code in Super Rugby, but if those models could be easily transferred to Test rugby, the Wallabies and All Blacks would be No.1 and No.2 in the world.
Larkham is also clearly a different sort of character from the alpha males who so often progress to the top of the game. Those who have dealt with him describe a quietness that can come across as aloof, well-suited to the “Bernie” nickname he was given as a player.
Of course, all of this just could be a failure to read the man. He presides over a Brumbies team that is smart, tough and adaptable. The selection decision to put Andy Muirhead at fullback has been a masterstroke; it has unlocked the best rugby of an already outstanding Brumbies career.
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The Brumbies are well positioned to beat the Reds on Saturday, striking a blow – superficially at least – to RA’s decision to appoint Kiss as Joe Schmidt’s successor.
But as we constantly see in Test rugby, tactical awareness and understanding the game are only one part – and arguably a declining part – of the head coach’s role.
With so much analysis occurring and physical capabilities levelling out among Test teams, the coaches who can press the right emotional buttons are the ones thriving.
Ireland were on their backsides before they travelled to Twickenham two weeks ago, a supposedly declining team that would face an English side keen to bounce back after their loss to Scotland.
Yet, Ireland coach Andy Farrell had his team in the right mental state – pumped up, yet clinical – while England’s Steve Borthwick stared forlornly at his laptop.
Of course, there are also questions about whether Kiss can coach the Wallabies to deliver that response when it is needed. Kiss has a more well-rounded CV than Larkham, but he is also a naturally quieter individual who has spent much of his career as an assistant.
But, we all have to accept that the outcome of the Brumbies-Reds’ game on Saturday will say surprisingly little about the ability of either man to be a Wallabies saviour.
