AUSTRALIA

THE Wallabies enter the World Cup with numerous question marks over them. What happens if they lose their playmaker, Stephen Larkham? Do they have the forward pack to compete properly at the set piece? Have they depth in talent to cover inevitable injuries? Is Matt Giteau playing in his best position? Are they too defence-oriented?

While the Wallabies have gradually improved over the past two years, the conservative nature of the selectors has shackled them, prompting the team to head for France full of experience but with numerous key performers on their last legs. Others are carrying injuries.

If the Wallabies can get away with it, fine. But if they lose numerous players in the early pool matches, they could be an easy target in the finals.

In Australia's favour is that there have been two World Cups staged in the Northern Hemisphere - and they've won both. They will again be relying heavily on their playmaker Larkham - who, after the tournament, will be leaving the Wallabies fold. As Larkham is closely targeted, there is always the danger that he could be sidelined during the tournament. Then all sorts of problems emerge, because Australia suffer from a distinct lack of depth at No.10. Even coach John Connolly made the extraordinary admission of his doubts about back-up Berrick Barnes when he said he had been picked in the squad on 2006 form and not 2007 form. Instead, they will have to rely on Giteau to get them out of trouble if anyone falls down in the back line, in particular Larkham.

The rest of the world don't exactly respect the Wallabies' pack - and the Australians do get an easy ride from certain referees, who ignore certain tricks the front-rowers get up to in a bid to stop them being pushed all over the park. But the scrum is improving, and they do boast three of the best forwards going around - second-rower Dan Vickerman, and back-rowers George Smith and Phil Waugh.

The Wallabies should make the semi-finals, fall to New Zealand, then win the third-fourth place play-off.

ONE of the stranger pre-World Cup quotes came from Japan coach and former All Blacks winger John Kirwan, who questioned whether his players really wanted to put their bodies on the line. Odd, considering that the Japanese are famed for being warriors. This is one team that Australia cannot take too lightly. While lacking depth and bulk up front, which may see the Wallabies decisively win a scrummaging exchange, Japan pride themselves on being adventurous and unpredictable in attack and are dangerous opponents.

WALES

IN RECENT years, Wales have had a way of upsetting the Wallabies. That had a lot to do with the nationalistic spirit whenever they play in Cardiff, and the influence numerous southern hemisphere coaches, including now Wallabies assistant coach Scott Johnson, have had on their team. The Wallabies are still smarting over their surprise 24-22 loss to Wales at the Millennium Stadium two years ago.

So one can understand why the Wallabies are not exactly excited that during the cup they have to suddenly pack up from the south of France and head to Cardiff to meet the Welsh.

This pool match will be among the most crucial of the cup, and Australia are hardly certainties. Form leading up to the cup has been unimpressive, but they may still be a force.

FIJI

IT HASN'T exactly been a settled World Cup build-up for Fiji, with allegations of marijuana smoking in recent months.

On the field their problem is the same as that of every Pacific Island side - getting the players together in time for the tournament. They are spread all over the world, making the task of former Wallabies back-rower Ilie "The Human Skewer" Tabua, who is now the Fijian coach, near impossible. Often Fiji are never exactly certain who will turn up for training, but it is this unpredictability that makes them a special outfit. Nonetheless, they are likely to be also-rans.

CANADA

ONE never knows what to expect from Canada - but at times they can get their act together. They have always been a lively, adventurous team, who have, in the end, been let down by being three or four players short of a talented team. Not surprisingly, they have made the quarter-finals only once.