The Wallabies flew out of Sydney today bound for the World Cup in France, knowing that anything less than winning the tournament will amount to failure.
Australia are already the most successful country in the World
Cup's short history, having won the title in 1991 and 1999 and
reached the final in 2003. They are also among the favourites to
win in France.
While New Zealand are considered the team to beat, Australia
coach John Connolly said the Wallabies were going to France full of
belief.
"If you're in the top seven or eight countries in the world,
the goal is to win the World Cup," Connolly told reporters at
Sydney airport before the team's departure.
"So anything short of that is a failure I guess."
Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock said the Australians, who
will spend a week training in Portugal before heading to France,
were hitting their peak at the right time after a couple of lean
seasons.
"The team has worked extremely hard over the past two years
to prepare for this World Cup," Mortlock said at the team's
official farewell at Sydney's Town Hall the previous day.
"We're very confident we've got an excellent squad in this
talented squad. There's a great deal of experience and talented
youngsters."
Mortlock said the Wallabies had been given an added incentive
to win the tournament for their departing halves George Gregan and
Stephen Larkham.
The pair, who have both played in excess of 100 tests for
Australia, were members of the Wallabies team that won the 1999
World Cup final in Wales and are retiring from international rugby
at the end of the competition.
"The whole squad are totally looking forward to the challenge
and hopefully sending off George Gregan and Stephen Larkham in
fitting style," Mortlock said.