Make-or-break op for Larkham

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

Larkham missed Australia’s 32-20 victory over Wales today after his right knee locked up during a kicking session yesterday and again overnight.

Plans for a late training run were ditched and Berrick Barnes was promoted into the side and played a prominent role in Australia’s victory.

Barnes could be set for an extended run in the team if Australia’s worst fears for Larkham are realised when he goes under the knife.

The Wallabies remain hopeful he will be back for their final Pool B game against Canada in Bordeaux on September 29.

Larkham said: “I will have the operation at around 10 o’clock in Montpellier. I think the best case scenario is getting back to play 20 minutes against Canada but it could blow out to the semi-finals.

“There is a bit of wear and tear under the knee cap. It flared up and that is what I am going to have cleaned out.

“They will go in and have a bit of a look and shave the slightest bit off the back of the knee.

“It was feeling really good but I probably pushed it a little bit too hard with kicking this week, particularly with field goals.

“I had a pretty big session on Wednesday and backed it up with a pretty big kicking session at the captain’s run yesterday.

“This morning I was going to have a little run but my leg locked up in bed last night and I rang the doc up at 7.30am and said, ’It’s all off.”’

Barnes was told last night there was a chance he could make his first Test start at the Millennium Stadium but it was not confirmed until Larkham’s call to the doctor.

Barnes created Australia’s first try for Matt Giteau and landed a drop goal from 40 metres as the Wallabies opened a 25-3 half-time lead.

Larkham is confident Barnes can lead Australia to the semi-finals in his absence.

He said: “He is definitely capable.

“He will gain a lot out of today. He was getting a lot of help out there from Gits (Giteau) and George (Gregan) but in a couple of games he will be taking on that role.

“I thought he played tremendously well. He controlled it very well. We didn’t get a lot of ball in the second half but he defended well. He had a good all round game.

“I think everyone was expecting him to play as well as he did. He certainly showed all those aspects at training and he has taken it one step up.

“I asked if he needed help with anything and he was in a good frame of mind before the game.

“He said he was very nervous before we got to the ground but he settled into it and he was certainly very hyped at half-time, as most of the guys were.”