By Matt Findlay

The Wallabies were disappointing in New Zealand in 2011, and Michael Cheika has made some polarising decisions with his 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC) squad but even so, pundits give Australia a genuine chance of claiming the William Web Ellis Cup for the first time since 1999.

Australia’s preparations have been up and down, with a win over the Kiwis in the Rugby Championship followed by a thrashing in the Bledisloe Cup decider – which featured some bizarre selections from Chieka.

But, after a strong camp in America and good trial form, there is reason for confidence, particularly looking at Australia’s squad.

Dual John Eales medallist Israel Folau is the big one, and looks likely to set this RWC on fire in his debut tournament, while the rest of the squad boasts over 1200 combined international caps.

Skipper Stephen Moore, outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper and inside back Matt Giteau will all play their third RWC, with the latter the only survivor of Australia’s final appearance in 2003 when the Wallabies were heartbroken by Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal in extra-time.

In a show of solidarity, Chieka selected just two players who didn’t feature in the Rugby Championship win in flanker Sean MacMahon and prop Toby Smith, but there was no place for second-rower James Horwill or halfback Nic White.

In the pool of death, the Wallabies are expected to progress although they will face stiff competition from England, Wales and Fiji, with Uruguay looking to be an also-ran in the 2015 tournament.

But, the Wallabies aren’t looking past their tournament opener against Fiji.

“I think most of the guys are realising that this is the last part of the building phase. And then we go into sudden death right from the start … we haven’t thought beyond that Fiji game,” Moore told Australian media last week.

“We have to be on right from the start of the tournament. That’s what our preparation is geared for. “We’ve trained really hard over here and it’s feeling real… we are going to get over there and it’s on.

“We don’t want to really say too much. We just want to play as well as we can right from the start. Every time you talk about the World Cup you’re asked about the pool of death. That’s just another thing you have to manage.”

The Wallabies open their campaign against Fiji, next Thursday morning (Australian time).

PLAYER(S) TO WATCH: The entire front-row rotation

There’s no two ways about it, if Australia is to have any hope of winning the 2015 RWC, scrummaging will play a massive role.

For the first time in a long time, the Wallabies are coming into a major tournament with a decent amount of confidence in their scrum.

Props Sekope Kepu, Scott Sio, James Slipper and Greg Holmes, along with hookers Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau, are all strong at scrum time.

They more than matched the All Blacks and Springboks during the Rugby Championship – and at times monstered them – which puts the side in good stead leading into the RWC.

Make no mistake, these six players are as crucial – if not more so – to Australia’s chances as anyone else in the squad.

SQUAD

Forwards: Stephen Moore (captain), Tatafu Polota-Nau, Greg Holmes, Sekope Kepu, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock.

Backs: Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale, Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau, Rob Horne, Drew Mitchell, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Tevita Kuridrani.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, September 23: vs Fiji; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 4.45pm

Sunday, September 27: vs Uruguay; Villa Park, Birmingham; 12pm

Saturday, October 3: vs England; Twickenham, London; 8pm

Saturday, October 10: vs Wales; Twickenham, London; 4.45pm