World Cup Preview - Australia

Australia - The Wallabies

Australia. Ever a World Cup specialist team if there was one, the two time World Cup Champions have an impressive record at Rugby World Cups claiming the championship in 91 and 99, and then narrowly losing to the favourites England in the Final.

Like 2003, the Wallabies head to the World Cup with hardly the most impressive record in the last four years, but after beating World Cup favourites the All Blacks in Melbourne - they know that like always they have enough in their arsenal to beat any team in the world.

Since Rugby World Cup 2003...

Realistically no one expected the Wallabies to be the force they eventually proved to be in 2003, but after stumbling to a narrow victory over a willing Scotland, they shocked the Rugby World with a sensational 22-10 upset of the All Blacks, and then pushed England all the way in the Final before the Famous Wilkinson drop goal secured English victory deep into extra time.

But after a solid 2004, 2005 was disastrous for the Wallabies, recording eight consecutive losses which eventually was the catalyst for Eddie Jones being replaced as Australian Coach. John "knuckles" Connelly succeeded him, but even he couldn't prevent five losses in 2006 - including a shock loss by the Welsh club side Ospreys against "Australia A (containing eight first choice wallabies)". He also couldn't arrest Australia's very poor away record with the Wallabies being a very different team away from home, with only five wins against Tier One Nations over this period and fourteen losses. The Wallabies have not defeated New Zealand, South Africa or France in their own backyards for over six years.

Twenty-six wins, eighteen losses and a draw is hardly an impeccable record over a four year period, but the Wallabies remain a team capable of matching it with any team and know that they have the mental capacity to compete at and win the World Cup.

Strengths

The Wallabies are regarded by many as the most intelligent team in world rugby, and have proven consistently that weakness on paper can be hidden on the field.

They possess a very strong back line, and in their illustrious pivots, George Gregan and Stephan Larkham, contain the only team in history to field two active 100+ test veterans. This experience will serve the Wallabies very well in this World Cup. Larkham is up there with the world's best first five eighths. The World Record test cap holder Gregan has had an up and down last four years, with many at one stage believing he had run his course. But a strong 2007 has him as Australia's first choice scrum half, and his tenaciousness is admired and loathed by opponents, fans, and referees alike.

The Wallabies' relationship with their rugby league counterparts has paid them rich dividends for nearly a decade now, with an excellent defensive structure which has probably won them more games than their attack. This corresponds with a strong back row, which is probably Australia's greatest area in regard to player depth. Any team that can afford to have either George Smith or Phil Waugh on the bench is a strong one.

Their line also remains one of their greatest weapons, following on from the John Eales era of lineout brilliance. They consistently compete at opposition ball, and Knuckles is a firm believer in the philosophy of having tall back rowers which add to the lineout options.

The Wallabies' greatest strength is probably to come back from adversity or being written off. They remain the All Blacks' nemesis, being the only team to seem to be able to put the spooks in to the New Zealanders' physche. In 2003 they should have been well beaten by vastly superior (on paper...) New Zealand and English outfits, only to push both vaunted teams to the limits. This ability to grow an extra leg will be what keeps the Wallabies in most punter's books.

Weaknesses

Eddie Jones' Wallabies were advocates of a structured pattern style of play, relying on fast phase ball re-cycling and elaborate set moves. But when England's monstrous pack famously destroyed the Australian scrum in 2005, a glaring weakness - known for a while but never really exposed - became apparent and caused great concern in the Australian rugby fraternity.

John Connelly has made great effort to try to add more forward oriented dimensions to this team. When they were winning this was lauded. But with no small irony, when the Wallabies were beaten, some critics labelled Knuckles' focus on the pack to detract from what has always been the Wallabies' historical strength, their backline attack.

There is no doubt improvements have been made, both in proper technique, but also in allowing the Wallabies to ensure any forward weaknesses are not capitalised by opposition. But even most Australians will admit that a firing All Black, English or French pack can and will cause great problems for this Wallaby team.

Australia's starting fifteen will be the match of any team come World Cup, but injuries to key positions will threaten to derail the campaign. They do not have the depth of New Zealand, South Africa, or even France or England. Injuries to any one of their key axis of 9, 10, 12 and 13 will cause many problems for Australia, for without Gregan, Larkham, Giteau or Mortlock the Wallabies are not nearly as formidable.

Their other historical weakness is their lack of true killer instinct in regard to weaker teams. From all the way back to the infamous Tongan victory 30 years ago, the Wallabies have not beaten teams which quite simply they should have.

Recent end of year Northern Hemisphere tours have been the best (or worst!) examples of this, with the Wallabies unable to record victories over Irish, Scottish and Welsh teams - and even struggling to put away a valiant Italian team.

Finally, while the Wallabies are well known for attacking a team at its most obvious weaknesses, they themselves are not the team they used to be when under pressure. The Wallabies have not won their close games like they did under Eales for many years now, and this recent trend must be prevented to give them any chance of winning the cup.

The X-factor

The Australian spirit and mindset will be their most potent weapon at this World Cup. A never say die approach and a seeming ability to talk themselves into victory will again be prominent at this year's tournament.

Even the 2003 English and the 2007 All Blacks were not and are not adament that they would and could win the World Cups. But the Wallabies head to every World Cup with the firm belief that they can win. They have a mental strength comparable to the near invincible Australian Cricket Team, and history's greatest games are not always won by the strongest teams but by those with the strongest mindsets.

Gregan and Larkham will be hoping for strong international rugby swansongs, but then every World Cup bids farewell to rugby greats.

But Australian Rugby has in many people's eyes dropped the proverbial ball since magnificent 2003 - and this year has again had negatives, with poor showings from Australian Super 14 teams, fluctuations of form from their greatest players (including the awful pre-season injury to the talismanic Chris Latham) and reported ARU boardroom and coaching tensions. But this will only serve to inspire the Wallabies more, and with a new era approaching in Australian rugby with the re-appointment of John O'Neill and the advent of the first true Australian Provincial Championship - this team will be gunning to provide the greatest impetus of all.

By Jimmy Mortimer