A lock and flanker, Larsen represented North Harbour and Northland at a provincial level and the Chiefs in Super Rugby. He was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1992 to 1996, playing 40 matches including 17 internationals.

Playing right through the grades in the late seventies and eighties until he was on the brink of a senior career at which point he transferred to Takapuna.