KEY POINTS:
MONTPELLIER - The Wallabies have put their faith in hospitalised playmaker Stephen Larkham making a quick recovery and aren't considering stand-by players for their rugby World Cup squad.
Larkham isn't due to be discharged from hospital in Montpellier until later today after having a second arthroscopy in eight days on Monday night.
The 102-test five-eighth is aiming to return to training in a week's time to be available for a potential October 13 semifinal showdown with New Zealand.
With Larkham's right knee badly swollen, Australian coach John Connolly said he hadn't given thought to whether he would start or come off the bench if he made a semifinal return.
Connolly also said there was no need to weigh up replacement options until team medics could review his recovery on Monday.
"Probably in the next week we might think about it," he said. "We don't see a need in the next four or five days.
"He's in good spirits this morning. He'll be out of the hospital tomorrow morning, I believe, at the latest.
"We'll just have to see how it goes. If the recovery's fine he may be available for the semi-final if we get there."
The likes of New South Wales whiz-kid Kurtley Beale and Queensland young gun Ben Lucas could come into contention but it would be highly unlikely either would play any part in the play-off stages of the tournament.
With Larkham out of the next two games, Australia have rested rookie first five Berrick Barnes from Sunday's final pool match against Canada in Bordeaux.
The versatile Julian Huxley has stepped into the No 10 hot seat and is keen to prove he can be an able playmaking back-up to Barnes.
Connolly also played down concerns that Scott Staniforth may need to be sent home as he's in serious doubt to play Canada with a shoulder injury.
"It's only bruising and if he's out of this game he'll be available the week after," he said.
The Wallabies selectors will wait until Friday to finalise the side and will make a major backline reshuffle if Staniforth is ruled out.
It would mean vice-captain Lote Tuqiri joins Adam Ashley-Cooper in the centres and Cameron Shepherd moves from fullback to wing with Chris Latham promoted from the bench.
Matt Giteau would then sit on the bench.
First-time captain George Smith and lock Nathan Sharpe are the only two regular members of a second-string forward pack.
No 8 David Lyons will stop his blood-thinning medication for blood clot in his leg to play his first match at the tournament.
"From where I've come from two or three months ago when I thought I was no chance of being in the world cup to finally getting a game is pretty satisfying," Lyons said.
"I just want to get out there and prove that I'm fully fit and back to my best."
AUSTRALIA
Cameron Shepherd, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Julian Huxley, Sam Cordingley; David Lyons, George Smith, Hugh McMeniman, Mark Chisholm, Nathan Sharpe, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Greg Holmes.
Reserves: Sean Hardman, Guy Shepherdson, Rocky Elsom, Phil Waugh, Stephen Hoiles, George Gregan, Chris Latham.
- AAP
