KEY POINTS:
Darting winger Ben Tune says while the Wallabies don't look as strong as some World Cup teams on paper, they have the rugby intelligence to outsmart any opposition on their day.
"In terms of rugby brains there's Larkham, Gregan, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Dan Vickerman, Chris Latham, those type of guys and they're pretty switched on. But also coaching-wise ... Michael Foley tactically is extremely good and Scott Johnson is the same," Tune said.
He said the team comes up with an individual strategy to beat each team.
"It's a case of being smart enough to tailor your game-plan and personnel to a particular opposition. For a particular game big brawn might work but being able to change your personnel is important," Tune said.
He said with more than six teams to play in six weeks, forming a game-plan and having the nous to do it, is important to winning the cup.
"The one area we struggle is depth and whether we have the right personnel to implement the game-plans, that's the big question mark," Tune said.
He said there are good signs for the future but there's no band-aid fix.
The new Australian Rugby Championship which includes four teams from New South Wales, two from Queensland, and one from Melbourne, Canberra and Perth respectively will bridge the gap between club rugby and the Super 14 eventually, Tune said.
"It's going to take time. There's no quick fix but it's probably now 10 years overdue," Tune said.
He said the country has done well in the past world cups, despite its lack of depth.
And this year is no different. The team have an inner belief, although the Australian public might not be expecting much, Tune said.
He said Wales in Cardiff will be difficult and beyond that it's "finals footy" against the usual suspects of South Africa, New Zealand and France.
He said despite the calibre of the teams in the later stages, the finals will be played and refereed conservatively.
"It will be based around set pieces and really strong defences," Tune said.
He said the weather could play a part and is likely to be wet and cold towards the end of the tournament but the atmosphere is going to be hot.
"In terms of culture and what the environment will be like, it should be pretty awesome.
"I'm just looking forward to it getting underway. Teams now, everything pretty much builds up to the World Cup," Tune said.
Final prediction:
Australia versus France
Australia to win by 21 - 13
Ben Tune's Wallaby career
(Source: www.sporting-heroes.net)
Name: Ben Tune
Born: December 28, 1976
Position: Winger and centre
Debut: June 22, 1996
Caps: 46
