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Australia's Larkham looks to end career in Japan

Four Japanese clubs are chasing Australia's ace playmaker Stephen Larkham to sign him up for after next year's World Cup, reports said yesterday.

Larkham's management team will head to Japan in the next few months to sound out offers from four first-division Japanese outfits before gauging the level of interest in the flyhalf from clubs in France, England and Ireland.

"We're already in discussions with a number of interested parties, in Japan and elsewhere," Larkham's agent Jason Macarthur told the Sunday Telegraph.

"In the top league in Japan alone, four clubs have expressed interest in Steve, and it is serious interest," Macarthur said.

"It's a big decision and one Steve doesn't want to dive into. But he's asked us to consider his options and we have spoken to Steve about his plans beyond the World Cup," he said.

Reports said deals were worth up to AU$1 million (US$760,000) a season.

Larkham is contracted to the Australian Rugby Union for the World Cup in France, which ends on October 20 next year.

"He hasn't ruled out having another year with the Brumbies, but Japan has definite appeal," Macarthur said.

A veteran of 88 Tests, Larkham will be 33 at the completion of the Rugby World Cup.

"I've spoken to the Brumbies about playing another year here [in 2008] but Japan is certainly on the cards," Larkham told the Sunday Telegraph.

"If I go overseas, Japan is probably the pick because of its proximity and the fact the competition is getting stronger," he said. "The speed of the game over there really appeals to me."

"At the moment, the World Cup is definitely my priority. After that, I haven't ruled out retirement, but at this stage I feel I can play on at a high level," he said.
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