One call to the king and it's clear Stephen Larkham can't remember abdicating his throne as world rugby's ruling first-five.
And yet all the talk from this side of the Tasman, of Daniel Carter eclipsing Jonny Wilkinson as the game's foremost No 10, has conveniently forgotten the Australian master.
Yes,
Larkham admires Carter and thinks the All Black pivot controlled the second Lions test extremely well but asked if he thought Carter was better than him, the Wallaby paused.
"I think he's certainly better at some aspects of the game."
Such as? "Goal-kicking."
It's the cagey answer of a 31-year-old who has dominated his position since 1999, though he also said of Carter: "He's very elusive, he breaks tackles and is certainly very skilful in all areas of the game."
Larkham admits the 23-year-old is a superstar in the making but he also believes he knows a young inside back to match the Cantabrian - Matt Giteau.
"He's as talented as Daniel Carter and he's one of the most, if not the most, skilful players in the game over here. They're probably the two stand-out players in rugby right now."
Giteau's path to test rugby mirrors Carter's in that he was ushered in at second-five. But Larkham said his Brumbies team-mate is being groomed to take over the Wallabies' No 10 jersey. "We're still trying to develop him as a ball player. In the long run he should slot in, no problem."
Like Larkham, Carter's expansive passing game has added a new dimension to his backline. "I suppose for Southern Hemisphere teams it's very important that the five-eighth can pass," said Larkham.
Carter vs Giteau is set to become one of rugby's great rivalries. In last year's Tri Nations, Giteau appeared to have the measure of Carter in midfield. This year Carter will confront the gliding guile of Larkham. "We haven't even thought about the notion of playing New Zealand," he said. (Translation: "It's all we ever think about.")
Larkham said Carter's virtuoso performance last weekend deserved to be lauded like any exceptional individual achievement. "You get it in soccer and rugby league - you have some stand-out players who carry sides. He was certainly given the space and time but you can't deny he was outstanding."
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
