FORMER Wallaby flyhalf Stephen Larkham, back in action after his serious knee injury four months ago, hopes for a place in the reserves against New Zealand on August 28. Calls for Larkham’s quick return increased after Australia’s 10-9 Tri-Nations championship defeat by South Africa on Saturday, but he cautioned: “They’re not going to rush me straight back into the starting side.” He will line up for the Australian Barbarians against Fiji in Sydney on Wednesday and is expected to play as often as possible before the World Cup. Australia captain and lock John Eales, also playing again after a long injury lay-off, said he was not thinking ahead to the New Zealand game in Sydney. “The Barbarians match is the next level up for me,” he said.