Wednesday 9 September 2015 10:13, UK
Former Wallaby Rocky Elsom says Australia have as good a chance as any in the World Cup, and should not fear their draw.
It's a less than ideal pool in the World Cup for Australia. They've been drawn alongside Wales and England in what could well be the toughest pool in World Cup history.
Wales were dumped out of the 2007 World Cup following a shock loss to Fiji in the group stages, but neither the Wallabies nor England have ever failed to progress to the quarter-finals.
But despite a difficult draw, Elsom says that the fixtures should not deter his countrymen.
"In general most teams have to win three big games in order to win the World Cup; that would be enough for you," Elsom told Sky Sports.
"The difficulty Australia has is that they need four or five big games. So the risks are much higher."
If they finish second in their pool they set up a likely showdown with the Springboks, and if they win that their scheduled opponent would be the All Blacks, so life would not get any easier for Michael Cheika's side.
But Elsom says those games are part and parcel of a World Cup.
"I don't think that's such a big issue really, meeting South Africa and New Zealand.
"You've got to beat them at some point. Once you're through you've got just as good a chance as anyone else."
Elsom says he is backing his former team, and says they are better placed than the majority of the others to win the showpiece.
"I think Australia has a better chance than most in the World Cup," said Elsom. "The issue for them will largely be around the players that they've got available."
"Every World Cup there's very small margins and a large part of the problem for Australia is the availability of the players and the continuity of the team."
Elsom has been encouraged by the recent return of former back-row partner David Pocock.
"We lost Stephen Larkham in 2007 and that was difficult for us because we didn't have anyone experienced in that role taking that spot."
"Michael Hooper has been in form for some time but it's David Pocock's resurgence that's been the more dramatic this season.
"Coming back from two knee reconstructions, to play as well as he is, is a fair credit to him and a major boost for Australia.
"Physically he's really dominant out there. He's always been a reasonably muscly guy, but he's not 24 anymore and doesn't get pushed over like you kind of do when you're a bit younger. It's a big plus."
Pocock joins the Wallaby team on a recent good run of form. Though they lost their last game against the All Blacks in Auckland, they won this year's Rugby Championship with a 27-19 victory over the men in black in Sydney.
In Israel Folau Australia have arguably the best full-back in world rugby, and he is joined by a host of Super Rugby stars that could boost the Wallabies' chances at the World Cup.
"You'd hope so," said Elsom. "Again it comes down to their availability.
"Having all those guys on the field, as an Australian you'd be pretty comfortable with that as your team."
Reds play-maker Quade Cooper has been included in the squad for the trip to England, and Elsom feels he will be an important part of the squad, even if he deputises for Bernard Foley.
"If he's playing really well that's a plus for Australia, it's a bonus to have him in the team.
"It would seem as though he's not the first choice, but just having him there and in good form - you need that.
"We lost Stephen Larkham in 2007 and that was difficult for us because we didn't have anyone experienced in that role taking that spot.
"Not that Stephen Larkham did everything, but the team was moulded around the one clear first five-eighth that we had."
The Wallabies had previously been sharing new coach Michael Cheika with the Waratahs, but after the semi-final loss to the Highlanders, Cheika turned his full attention to the national side.
It's a move that Elsom has praised, and points to the Waratahs' recent success as something to expect from the Wallabies.
"The workload is an issue. The planning going into the World cup is pretty tight because of the Rugby Championship. It's tough to do them both.
"If you look at the team, we've seen success with the Waratahs and we've seen a bit of a change in attitude amongst the players in the team. You can see a very motivated and united group.
"On top of that I think (Cheika) was very instrumental in bringing Israel Folau into the game, and I really think the players feel like he helps them to play better.
"That's what you want from a coach. When you start to think your coach is not helping you to play better, you've got some problems."
Rocky Elsom is a Heineken© rugby legend. As Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide partner, Heineken is bringing you closer to the action, find out more at @Heineken #itsyourcall
