Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham will undergo a knee operation tomorrow and could be out of action until the World Cup semi-finals.

Dumped Australia skipper George Gregan is not bitter towards new Wallaby co-captains Phil Waugh and Stirling Mortlock and believes the pair will lead their country with aplomb.

Australia coach Eddie Jones praised England as the best team in the world - “by a minute” – after Jonny Wilkinson’s drop-goal second from the end of extra-time settled the World Cup final.

A thigh injury to captain George Gregan was the unwelcome side-effect for Australia after an otherwise cathartic evening’s work in which they thrashed Romania 90-8 in Brisbane.