Wallaby first five Stephen Larkham is now in doubt for the rest of the Rugby World Cup after undergoing a second knee operation.
Larkham had aimed to be back for Australia’s final pool match
against Canada this weekend after making a swift recovery from surgery
but then suffered a further setback at training on Monday.
Wallaby coach John Connolly said Larkham had been taken to a Montpellier hospital for arthoscopic surgery after his right knee became infected.
"Stephen Larkham spent the night in hospital. His knee's flared up and he's got a small infection," Connolly told reporters.
"We hope to get him out (of the hospital) tomorrow. He definitely won't be considered for this weekend or the weekend after."
"He got up yesterday morning to start running. It was sore and it as just the start of an infection and he spent the night in there getting treated.
"It was one of those freak accidents."
This means Larkham will miss Australia's final Pool B match against Canada in Bordeaux on Sunday and the quarter-final against England or Tonga in Marseille a week later.
The earliest he might be back is in the semifinal in Paris in mid October - if Australia gets that far and the injury heals in time.
"I've spoken to the medical staff and they really can't say when he'll be fit to play," Connolly said.
"We know we won't have him for the quarter-final but if all goes well he may be available the following week.
"He's very disappointed, obviously, because he was coming along quite well. He's one of our most experienced players and very much in our plans."
Larkham played in Australia's opening game against Japan but injured his knee at training and was replaced by Berrick Barnes for the second match against Wales.
"You would have to say Berrick would be favourite to start at this stage, but we do have a couple of options so we'll sit down and discuss that after the game on Sunday," Connolly said.
"It's a big ask for a 21-year-old but Berrick did an outstanding job against Wales in a pressure situation a fortnight ago.
