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John 'Knuckles' Connolly
Home Stadium: Various - primarily Telstra Stadium, Sydney (83,500)
Nickname: The Wallabies
Number of rugby players in the country: 64,400
National rugby website address: www.rugby.com.au
Current national champions: 2006 - Melbourne Axemen
Strengths: One should never write the Wallabies off, as this is when they are at their best. They proved this with a come-from-behind win against New Zealand in the Tri-Nations earlier in the year. Their mental belief is unquestionable and they have the ability to defend for long periods. A potent back-line makes them a threat from set-pieces and in broken play. They will need to utilise their back-line to challenge for the trophy in France.
Weaknesses: An ongoing problem for the Wallabies is their scrum. Time and again it has creaked and crumbled under concerted pressure. It is a well-known fact and they will need to focus on this area if they want to compete at the business end of the tournament. They won't be able to beat sides if they can not secure a solid platform at the scrum.
History in the tournament: 1987 - semi-final, 1991 - Winners, 1995 - quarter-final, 1999 - Winners, 2003 - finalists
Prediction for this tournament: The Wallabies will go into this World Cup as outsiders behind New Zealand and France. However a fine win over the All Blacks in the Tri-Nations will give them hope and belief that they can mount a serious challenge on the trophy. It may well favour them being out of the spotlight slightly, as they will be able to go about their business quietly whilst the All Blacks attract all the media attention and hype - just as it was last time. They should top their pool, and in theory this should allow them a so-called 'easier' path in the knock-out stages, and a match-up with New Zealand in the semi-final. Third place overall.
Coach: With more than 15 years coaching experience at the highest level, John Connolly is ready for the challenge of preparing the Wallabies for Rugby World Cup 2007. Born in Queensland, Connolly returned to Australia to take on the role after six seasons in France and the UK. On leaving the Queensland Reds in 2000, after two Super 10 titles and two table-topping endings in the Super 12 table in 1996 and 1999, Connolly guided Stade Français to the French Championship and Heineken Cup Final. He then moved on to Swansea in Wales for 2002/03, only to see the club go into administration. Connolly then moved to Bath as director of rugby from 2003 to 2005 where he went on to establish a committed and successful culture, guiding the English side to a Zurich Premiership Final and a Powergen Cup Final. Like his predecessor in the gold tracksuit, Connolly has a wry sense of humour but approaches his work in an no-nonsense manner - as his nickname 'Knuckles' suggests.
Key player: His last game in a Wallaby shirt will be at this World Cup, and international rugby will wave goodbye to possibly the best ever fly-half when Stephen Larkham departs. His ability to read a game and create space for runners which only he can see is the key to every movement, forwards or backs that Australia get going. He has done it all once before in 1999 as well.
Captain: Stirling Mortlock, self-confessed movie buff, made his debut for Australia in 2000 against Argentina and has since gone on to establish himself as an indispensable member of the squad, winning over 50 caps in the process. Having previously played for Australia at both U19 and U21 level he made an immediate impact at senior level and created history by becoming the first Australian to score 20 points or more in four consecutive Tests in his debut season.
Rising star: Australia always seem to have a talented crop of youngsters rising into the senior ranks and challenging the older heads for a place in the starting side. One of the leading lights emerging at present is young Adam Ashley-Cooper, a utility back out of the Brumbies stable. With Stirling Mortlock sidelined for most of the 2007 Super 14, Ashley-Cooper filled the number 13 shirt with aplomb and went from strength to strength.
Having made his debut as a replacement against the Springboks in 2005 he went on to win a place on the Wallabies 2006 UK tour. He didn't add to his solitary cap until this season when he started in both Tests against Wales, the one-off game against Fiji and as a replacement against South Africa in the Tri-Nations opener. His highlight in the green and gold to date was a try in Australia's 20-15 win over the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup clash of 2007. A player who has versatility and skill in abundance and will go on to make a big name for himself, starting in France in September.
Team Nemesis: As far as World Cup heartbreak and Australia go there is one side who have dealt them more than most: England. In 1995 it was a monster drop goal from Rob Andrew that sunk the Wallaby World Cup effort. Andrew slotted his three-pointer with time virtually up in the quarter-final. Then in 2003 Jonny Wilkinson again broke Australian hearts, only this time it was in even more dramatic circumstances. With the final deep into extra-time Wilkinson calmly notched the drop goal that won the World Cup for England and left Australia shattered in front of their home fans. And never mind the fierce banter between the two sides and fan factions when the two meet! With a possible quarter-final meeting on the cards with England, this time it will remain to be seen if England drop the Wallabies out of the Rugby World Cup again.
Likely headlines: 'Stirling mortified as Aussie defence unlocked', 'Phil wages Waugh on Wales', 'Australia take the Hoiles with late try'
Price of a pint: Around E3.20
Rugby player/sheep ratio: 1:15
