SYDNEY, 25 June 2003 — Australia are prepared to make an exception for fly-half Stephen Larkham by pitching him into Test rugby next month without any warm-up games.
Larkham’s first match in nine weeks will be the Tri-Nations opener against South Africa in Cape Town on July 12, although he’s likely to start on the bench, coach Eddie Jones said yesterday.
Jones said Larkham would not have to prove his match fitness in club rugby, unlike utility back Matt Burke, center Dan Herbert and flanker Owen Finegan.
Larkham, who missed Australia’s first three rugby Tests this season with a dislocated left elbow, worked yesterday with some of the Test squad.
The 55-Test stand-off, who hasn’t played since the final round of the Super 12 on May 9, looked rusty, according to Jones.
Larkham has been an almost permanent starter since 1996 with only three of his caps earned as a replacement, the last back in 1998.
If the selectors opt to name Larkham on the bench, it will give Elton Flatley another start. Flatley was dropped for last week’s Test against England for disciplinary reasons.
Flanker George Smith, who missed the last two Tests with nerve damage in his neck and shoulder, also took part in yesterday’s drills.
Both Larkham and Smith were expected to be named in Friday’s 26-man Wallaby squad for the Tri-Nations opener.
Jones said two other injured Wallabies, Finegan and Burke, would also be considered for selection.
Finegan, who suffered a serious shoulder injury against Ireland last November, has played club games and will start for the ACT Brumbies against Tonga at Canberra next Sunday.
Prop Ben Darwin, who began the season on the Wallabies bench, will also be in the Brumbies’ run-on side.
Burke will this play his second club game weekend after recovering from a knee ligament injury.
Jones conceded criticism of his tight five was warranted after the England defeat and felt Australia could improve in both its scrum and line-out.
