The Wallabies have touched down in New Zealand ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Although there were not many rugby fans to welcome Robbie Deans and his boys, the side remains confident of the task ahead of them.

Deans has stuck with his winning formula, naming the same starting 15 from their Tri Nations clinching victory over New Zealand for their first World Cup match against Italy in Albany on Sunday.

That means no start for James O’Connor who missed the Brisbane match for disciplinary reasons although the backline utility has got a place on the bench.

This is the fourth time that Deans has retained the same starting 15 for consecutive tests during his three year tenure.

The three previous occasions were all during Tri Nations campaigns - two in 2009 and one in 2011 - and all resulted in losses by at least 12 points.

Australia is in Pool C with Ireland, Italy, Russia and USA.

The World Cup kicks off this Friday with NZ taking on Tonga at 8.30pm and you can catch the exclusive live radio commentary of the match on Viti FM with Malakai Veisamasama and Ilivasi Tabua.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi