Benn "Fat Cat" Robinson has a new nickname.

Wallabies teammates are now calling the world-class prop "Lazarus" after he made his first tentative steps towards what would be a miracle comeback at the Rugby World Cup.

Just seventeen days after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament and then by-passing a knee reconstruction, Robinson is back running and crossing his fingers he can defy conventional medical wisdom.

The 27-year-old joined Australia's squad on the Gold Coast on Friday before getting through a 20-minute gym session and a 10-15 minute solo run.

While Robinson is seen as a slim chance, at best, of recovering quickly enough to play in the World Cup, kicking off September 9, it was a positive start.

Wallabies medical staff will assess Robinson again on the weekend after he has a second run at The Southport School on Saturday but aren't expected to make a World Cup ruling until closer to the 30-man squad naming on August 18.

For now, while there's life there's hope for the 42-Test loose-head who is among the 10 per cent of people who can still operate functionally without an ACL.

NSW teammate Sekope Kepu has successfully filled Robinson's big boots in the opening two Tests of the season but fellow injured prop James Slipper believes Australia should wait as long as they can for him to prove his fitness.

"He deserves to have the most time to prove himself," Slipper said.

"He's the calibre of player that deserves to have all the time he needs to get into the squad.

"He's actually quite fit and he seems to get around the field really well, so I don't think fitness will be a problem.

"I hope he does (make it) for Australia's sake - he's a great player and everyone looks up to him.

"He's somewhat of a coach himself. He gave me a lot of advice when I was coming through last year and I learned a lot off him."

Robinson, Slipper and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau were seen as the Wallabies first-choice Test front-row during the Super Rugby season but none will play before the World Cup squad is named.

Both tight-head Slipper (ankle) and Polota-Nau (both knees) are aiming at being available for the final Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Brisbane on August 27.

The Australian Barbarians clash with Canada on the Gold Coast the day before looms as their most likely comeback date, along with No.8 Wycliff Palu (shoulder, knee).

Slipper and Polota-Nau also resumed running this week, using the Gold Coast Suns anti-gravity treadmill at Metricon Stadium, allowing a graduated return to full weight-bearing.

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