2015 Rugby World Cup Team Preview: Australia

The Qantas Wallabies are coming into this year’s World Cup full of confidence after capping off a series of great wins including the undefeated run to win the 2015 Rugby Championship.

Despite being outplayed by arch rivals New Zealand in the second Bledisloe Test in Auckland, the team is well on its way to claiming a third Rugby World Cup.

Head Coach, Michael Cheika, has chosen a quality side that is well balanced and full of depth however some have questioned his motive to pick half-back Nick Phipps and to leave the Brumbies’ Nic White.

Questions still surround the strength of the forward pack and the scrum, but they had a great outing against the All Blacks and the Springboks. Their showing was effective, but more importantly proved that their past weaknesses had been overcome.

Coming up against the English and Welsh who are renowned for their forward pack will be the Wallabies’ biggest test. They will need to outclass their pool rivals to proceed to the knockout stages - Australia are in Pool A alongside England, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay.

World Cup Prediction

Australia will advance to the knockout stages undefeated and I see them making the Final. Australia have a great record in Europe and I have them winning the Rugby World Cup.

31-Man Wallabies Squad for Rugby World Cup 2015 Wallabies Forwards: Hookers Stephen Moore - C (96 Tests) Tatafu Polota-Nau (53 Tests) Props Greg Holmes (17 Tests) Sekope Kepu (56 Tests) Scott Sio (9 Tests)* James Slipper (66 Tests) Toby Smith (uncapped)* Locks Kane Douglas (15 Tests)* Dean Mumm (36 Tests) Rob Simmons (52 Tests) Will Skelton (11 Tests)* Backrow forwards Scott Fardy (24 Tests)* Michael Hooper - VC (45 Tests)* Ben McCalman (40 Tests) Sean McMahon (3 Tests)* Wycliff Palu (55 Tests) David Pocock (50 Tests) Wallabies Backs: Scrumhalves Will Genia (59 Tests) Nick Phipps (31 Tests) Flyhalves Quade Cooper (55 Tests) Bernard Foley (17 Tests)* Inside backs Kurtley Beale (52 Tests) Matt Giteau (95 Tests) Matt Toomua (25 Tests)* Outside backs Adam Ashley-Cooper - VC (108 Tests) Israel Folau (33 Tests)* Rob Horne (26 Tests) Drew Mitchell (65 Tests) Henry Speight (3 Tests)* Joe Tomane (15 Tests)* Tevita Kuridrani (24 Tests)*