Matt Giteau confesses that he probably needs the break he has been given to recover mentally and physically for the knock-out rounds of the World Cup.

But had he been picked to play off the bench as he first suspected he might have in light of Stephen Larkham's injury woes, he would still have mustered his energy, and proudly donned the Wallaby strip to play Canada at Bordeaux.

"I would prefer to have a rest to freshen up for the quarter finals, but if I have to bench I'm more than happy to do it," said Giteau, just hours before the news of shock Larkham's withdrawal for the Wallabies final pool game was announced.

"Any chance, you get to play for your country you want to do it."

In the end Giteau, who plays inside centre, half-back or five-eighth where Larkham was to have played off the bench on Saturday, was not picked.

But he openly admitted that the extra responsibility he has taken on with Larkham's absence so far due to his knee surgery has taken its toll.

Unlike in 2003 when he came off the bench for short spells, Giteau has played every minute of the three games the Wallabies have played in this World Cup.

Asked if his desire for a rest was for the mind or his body, Giteau said: "A bit of both, especially with 'Bernie' [Larkham] out. I have had to step it up off the field, learn a little more as far as plays [are concerned], how we want to attack for the full 80 minutes. Physically and mentally it would be good to have a break."

Giteau, meanwhile, was not aware of link between the injuries of Larkham, Mark Gerrard and Scott Staniforth who still named in the Wallabies starting side for Saturday after bruising his shoulder in a clash with Adam Ashley-Cooper's knee against Fiji, and a set of hair clippers belonging to prop Al "The Fuse" Baxter.

That they have all used Baxter's clippers led some to suspect they are jinxed and order the tight head prop who plays his 50th Test on Saturday to hide them. Told the story, Giteau said: "Really? I only go to professionals anyway."

Baxter yesterday said his clippers have since been packed away in his suitcase, and then quipped that "it may be everyone with long hair for a while now."

He even joked "we will all have the Chabal look", referring to the charismatic French forward Sebastien Chabal, nicknamed "The Cave Man" for his long black hair and beard and physical game and is now a cult figure in France.

Baxter did not joke about the prospect of playing a 50th Test though.

"It's a great honour to be picked 50 times for your country. I am pretty excited about it. I feel privileged," said Baxter who will need to play only one more Test after the Canada clash to equal his NSW Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie as Australia's most capped prop.

Baxter certainly was letting what would become a historic milestone get the better of him when asked about reaching McKenzie's record.

"It has to be taken into context, as we play more Tests than those guys did then," said Baxter who made Test debuted in the Wallabies' final Tri Nations match against the All Blacks at Auckland in 2003.

Baxter's feelings about playing 50 Test were akin to those of South African born NSW teammate Dan Vickerman who made an emotional speech about it to the Wallabies before he reached it against Wales.

"To come to Australia and be so included in the Australian culture and team, and to be picked for 50 Tests for the team, he said he felt very privileged," recalled Baxter of Vickerman's address. "That is the feeling of everyone who has 50 caps. It is not a personal milestone."

Baxter also realises the Test is a vital chance to retrieve his No. 3 jersey from Guy Shepherdson who has the upper edge right now.

"I am probably just in behind Guy at the moment. I hope to put pressure on him. And I feel I can put pressure on him," said Baxter.

"To win this tournament you need to have all 30 guys playing well pushing for spots. I hope to be pushing for a spot and getting a spot.

"But if I'm not in that spot I will do everything I can to help the guy in that spot do the best he can.""

ends