They have won just one pool match in their three previous appearances at the World Cup and few expect them to make any impact this time.
They almost missed the tournament after finishing third behind Canada and Uruguay in the Americas qualifying section but sneaked in by beating Spain in a play-off.
But coach Tom Billups said at Brisbane airport, after the team's arrival, that they were determined not to just make up the numbers.
"It's not about koala bears and golf clubs. We're here to play rugby," Billups said.
The US are drawn in Pool B at the World Cup with France, Scotland, Fiji and Japan, with the Japanese game looking to be their best chance for a win.
The US Eagles beat the Japanese at Brisbane in 1987 - their only World Cup win to date - and Billups hopes history will repeat itself this year when they clash at Gosford on October 27th.
"We've spoken about those that went before us on the national team and we're very thankful for the legacy that those players have laid down for us," Billups said.
While many of the smaller rugby playing nations have had problems getting their best players for the tournament, the club versus country row has not been an issue for the Americans.
"In this day and age of professional rugby, as far as the United States are concerned, country still comes first," Billups said.
The French squad, meanwhile, slipped quietly into Brisbane yesterday, hoping they can keep their low-profile once the World Cup gets under way next week.
Despite reaching the final at the 1987 and 1999 World Cups, the French have been virtually forgotten in the lead-up to this year's tournament.
There were only a handful of media and fans to greet them on their arrival at the airport but the players said they were happy to avoid the spotlight.
"There's pressure on us but not so much like the favourites - Australia, New Zealand and England," France's New Zealand-born centre Tony Marsh told reporters.
"So we can just go about our work quietly and hopefully we can pop up at the end."
The French have a history of popping up at the right time in World Cups, upsetting Australia in the 1987 semi-finals then the All Blacks in the 1999 semi-finals.
They have a great chance of sneaking through again this time after being drawn in Pool B with Scotland, Fiji, Japan and the United States.
If they win their pool as expected, they will probably face either Ireland or Argentina.
"There's a long way to go," coach Bernard Laporte said. "Right now, we're just happy to be in Australia. It's been a long preparation but we're ready to play now."
Most of the interest in France's arrival was focused on Marsh. He was diagnosed last year with testicular cancer but has made a remarkable recovery to force his way back into the World Cup squad.
Part of his recovery involved meeting five-times Tour de France cycling champion Lance Armstrong, who also survived testicular cancer.
"I've been through a little bit of what he has been through," Marsh, 31st, said.
"(But) I don't think we can make comparisons because what I've been through is nothing after what he went through.
"I think he's already proven he's a champion and to date I haven't proven anything. The big driving force was the World Cup so once I finished my treatment I got back into the training."
