Wallaby outhalf Stephen Larkham is losing his battle to be fit for Saturday's third Test against the British and Irish Lions.
The Australian has lost all movement in his right arm after damaging nerves in his shoulder during last week's series-levelling victory in Melbourne. Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen will give Larkham until tomorrow to prove his fitness but said yesterday things were not looking good.
"At this stage it's not looking good. We're just holding out because we really don't know.""
With Larkham unable to train this week, Elton Flatley has been calling the shots.
Lawrence Dallaglio will miss most of next season due to the cruciate ligament injury that forced him out the Lions of this summer's tour of Australia, his club Wasps confirmed yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere's major rugby nations have officially rejected a proposal by the International Rugby Board to play an annual match against the Northern Hemisphere.
The South Africa, New Zealand Rugby Board (SANZAR) announced yesterday the Southern Hemisphere's three major powers were all against the idea. Australian Rugby Union managing director John O'Neill said the Southern Hemisphere had rejected the idea because of concerns about player burnout.
