Wycliff Palu's Rugby World Cup hopes are on life support after the powerhouse Wallabies No.8's wretched injury run continued on the Gold Coast.

Palu "celebrated" his 29th birthday on Wednesday by undergoing a knee operation to remove floating cartilage which has hampered his fitness work in his rehabilitation from a cracked shoulder-blade.

He left the Wallabies' Tri-Nations training camp this week to have arthroscopic surgery in Sydney, further diminishing his chances of being selected in Australia's 30-man World Cup squad.

Robbie Deans will announce his squad on August 18, before Palu is set to make his return from his shoulder and knee problems.

The 36-Test Wallaby has been limited to just 14 matches for the NSW Waratahs in the past two seasons with a knee reconstruction last year ruling him out of the entire 2010 Test program.

His 2011 Super Rugby campaign was plagued by hamstring problems before he injured his shoulder in the penultimate round against the Highlanders.

A Wallabies spokesperson stressed the operation was "minor" and would not extend Palu's time on the sidelines, with a comeback to be made at the end of the month - possibly for the Australian Barbarians against Canada on August 26.

Despite his destructive ball-running, it would be a gamble for Australia to take the 118kg Palu to the quadrennial tournament in New Zealand, kicking off on September 9.

He could be replaced if he broke down during the tournament but Deans wants fit, match-hardened players ready to go from the outset.

With fellow Test No.8 Richard Brown undergoing shoulder surgery on Thursday, incumbent Ben McCalman has the firm inside running for the No.8 jersey.

Competition will come from reserve back-rower Scott Higginbotham while another Queensland Reds forward, Radike Samo, is now closer to World Cup selection.

Yet to appear for Australia this season, Samo is one of 13 Wallabies released from the Gold Coast camp to return for club action this weekend.

Matt Giteau headlines the group, also gaining a release from his Balmain sub-districts club to play off the bench for Queensland University against Brothers in Brisbane premier grade's match of the round.

Dan Vickerman, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, Lachie Turner and Dave Dennis will all play for their Sydney clubs while centre Rob Horne will make his return from his long-term elbow injury for Southern Districts.

James Hanson, Rod Davies and Luke Morahan will line-up along with Giteau for University while Beau Robinson will also play in the Brisbane competition.

University coach Mick Heenan said Giteau would come off the bench as he could not train with his team, and is likely play either five-eighth or inside centre.

The discarded playmaker, who will return to camp on Monday, approached Uni for the chance.

"He hasn't asked for 10 or 12, he's happy to fit into any position," Heenan said. "We'll play it by ear on Saturday.

"We're happy to give him some game time for the greater good."

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