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Rugby Union

Larkham ruled out of Wales Test

25/05/2007

Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham has been ruled out of the first Test against Wales on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old is a veteran of 95 Test matches and will be missed in the line-up.

"I strained a hamstring tendon slightly at training on Wednesday afternoon and right now it feels pretty good. I was pushing to play [in the Wales match] but at this early stage of the campaign it wasn't necessary to… take a risk," Larkham said.

"I'll rest over the weekend but I'll definitely be pushing to play next weekend."

Larkham's replacement will be New South Wales Waratahs utility back Sam Norton-Knight, who will earn his first cap in his favoured number ten shirt.

"I spoke to Sam this morning and just told him that the boys will look to him to be composed and give them direction," the veteran said.

"His Super 14 form for the Waratahs when he went to fly-half at the back end of the season was very good.

"I know that he certainly has the ability to play well."

Nevertheless, Norton-Knight, 23, admitted surprise at being named in the starting XV when Larkham pulled out.

"I was sitting in my room when I got the call this morning. I'd only just finished breakfast," he said.

"I've only had a short time to get my head around it but that's probably a good thing. I'd have been more nervous had I known earlier in the week that I was making my debut."

Australia's opponents Wales have already announced their line-up for Saturday, which includes young starlet James Hook opposite Norton-Knight in the number ten channel and Welsh captain Gareth Thomas set to earn a record-breaking 93rd cap on the wing.

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