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BORDEAUX - Australia's World Cup injury problems are starting to improve with captain Stirling Mortlock rejoining the team at training and Stephen Larkham walking again after his second knee operation.
Both players have been ruled out of Australia's final Pool B match against Canada on Saturday but are hoping to play in the knockout stages.
Mortlock has not played since partially dislocating his shoulder against Wales on Sept. 15 but was put through his paces at a special training session in Bordeaux on Friday, hitting the tackle bags to test the injury.
Wallaby coach John Connolly said Mortlock came through the workout with flying colours and was on track to play in next week's quarter-final against England or Tonga.
"He's come through very well," Connolly told reporters.
"He took some hits on his shoulder this morning, which was the intention, and he's come through very well."
Larkham has already been ruled out of the quarter-final and is facing a race against time to play if Australia make the semi-finals after undergoing two knee operations in eight days.
However, the injury has started showing some encouraging signs of improvement since he was released from a Montpellier hospital on Thursday.
"Stephen Larkham is up and walking around at the moment, so that's good news," Connolly said.
"There's a possibility of a semi-final we hope. Again, if the wound settles well, we'll know more every day.
"The doc hopes by this time next week that he'll be up running and jogging and then he'll be a candidate for the week after, possibly, if we get there.
Australia have already lost utility back Mark Gerrard for the entire tournament to injury and Scott Staniforth was forced to pull out of the match against Canada because of a shoulder problem, prompting the Wallabies to adopt a cautious approach.
Connolly picked a mostly second-string team but was forced to include five of his first-choice players in the starting lineup and several more on the reserves bench.
Fullback Chris Latham will start against Canada but is likely to be substituted early. Latham, who underwent a knee operation earlier this season, said all the Australians were hoping Larkham made it back.
"I hope that he makes a pretty quick recovery and we can get him back playing some games," Latham said.
"Not only is he a very important part of the squad for this campaign but on a personal note I'd hate for his career with Australian rugby to end, as it might, as it sits at the moment."
Australia are already assured of topping their pool regardless of the result against Canada but Connolly said there was still plenty to play for with the team for the quarter-final still to be decided.
"There are some spots and the reserve issue is still up in the air," he said.
"There are a few things that will depend on this game."
- REUTERS
