Larkham, Gregan concede star Lions duo may prove unstoppable
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.'
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.
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"He's been on top of things in training and that's exactly why he (Andy Farrell) picked someone with experience and knows about a Lions tour, because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in. He's hit the ground running." Farrell was not named in the Lions squad to face the Brumbies on Wednesday but his father confirmed he was in contention for the AUNZ XV clash on Saturday.
