Fittler sounds warning
AUSTRALIA
If the strains of 'Advance Australia Fair' aren't belting out on World Cup final day, then the tournament will have witnessed a sporting upset to rank alongside any `David slaying Goliath' tale you care to mention.
Quite simply, the Kangaroos are the team to beat and if coach Chris Anderson doesn't take the cup back to Oz it will be considered a national disaster.
Winners of eight out of 11 World Cups, Australia dominate international rugby league in a manner rarely seen in other team sports.
A domestic competition light years ahead of what other league-playing nations can muster provides a deep reservoir of talent for national coaches to draw upon.
Legends of the game are effortlessly replaced by young guns oozing with so much talent they quickly attain their own superstar status and fearsome reputation.
Throw in the Aussies' fabled will to win and you can see why many pundits predict the Kangaroos only have to turn up to bounce all over the opposition.
So are there any weaknesses to be found in the green and gold machine?
Thankfully for the rest of the world, there are some crumbs of comfort to grab hold of.
The decision to exclude from the touring party stars who have signed contracts with English Super League clubs is a gamble even for a nation so full of talent as Australia.
Any team would badly miss the services of Matthew Johns, Jason Hetherington, David Furner and Jason Smith, and the Kangaroos for all their ability, will be no different.
Another potentially telling factor is the timing of the tournament.
By the time Australia square up to England at Twickenham it will be around two months since most of the squad played for their domestic clubs.
And having to take on a three-lions outfit comprised mainly of players still battle hardened from the Super League play-offs could prove to be a trickier proposition than many pundits expect.
Having said all that, the Kangaroos are still frighteningly formidable.
Led by the incomparable Brad Fittler at stand-off, the green and gold have power and pace throughout the side.
Man-mountain Gorden Tallis spearheads a tough, mobile pack, while wing flyers Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers add potency to a high-class back line.
The Aussies are coming with every intention of keeping hold of their crown – and if any team can stop them they will fully deserve the title of world champions.