Australia V Canada: Larkham-less Wobblies Hope For A Big One

The biggest exercise for this probable World Cup mis-match between the Canucks and Wallabies will be the grand waltz of injury avoidance.  This of course applies to the Wallabies with their quarter-final booked with England next weekend (shaping up to be a whopper when taking into account the rabble-rousing comments made by ARU boss John O'Neill earlier this week and his select views on the Australian / English relationship).

Still, this isn't about England just yet, because the wide boys of world rugby have to get past Canada first.  On paper this shouldn't be an issue, but you never truly know in the weird world of the egg shaped ball.

The Australians haven't had much luck on the injury front this tournament either.  With Gerard out, Mortlock slowly recovering, Larkham looking doubtful for the rest of the series and Staniforth still not right, it is understandable that Knuckles Connelly would prefer to keep in-form Giteau on the bench, whilst also limiting Latham's time on the paddock.  "How long Chris Latham stays on the field will depend on the game as well," Connolly has said.  "We would like to get him off (as soon as possible) so we'll play that by ear during the game".

The Canucks have had by their own accounts, a crap tournament with three from three losses.  A forth will in all likeliness be added to the tally after tonight.  In every test they've managed to start strongly, but fizzed out as fitness and the superiority of their opponents have eventually got the better of them.  The best they can probably hope for is a 50 point difference in the wide boys' favour.  Good luck to them.