Watching the rivals: Australia

Will Genia and Quade Cooper will link for the first time since 2013. Photo / Getty

In the second part of an ongoing series as we count down to the World Cup, Kris Shannon assesses how the All Blacks' main rivals are tracking in the build-up to rugby's showpiece tournament. Today, two-time champions Australia.

Last week: South Africa

What they did last time:

Australia could manage only a second-place finish in their pool, having slumped to a 15-6 defeat against Ireland, but that didn't stop the Wallabies from storming into the semifinals. There, after a late James O'Connor penalty edged South Africa in the quarters, Australia were swatted aside 20-6 by the All Blacks.

History at the tournament:

Australia have a pair of titles, in 1991 and 1999, to match the historical records of New Zealand and South Africa. The Wallabies were also runner-up in their home tournament in 2003 and have enjoyed two additional trips to the semifinal stage.

Form in 2015:

Difficult to assess, given their international campaign is set to begin tomorrow night. A pair of Australian sides, the Waratahs and the Brumbies, enjoyed strong Super Rugby seasons, beaten in the semifinals by the Highlanders and Hurricanes, respectively. The Rebels (10th), the Reds (13th) and the Force (last, below even the Blues) were disappointments, continuing their recent struggles in the competition.

Next game:

A blockbuster against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night. With both teams about to kick off an abbreviated Rugby Championship campaign, the loser will likely be left with little hope of claiming the competition. To the extent a team's opening match of the year could be called a must-win, this is one the Wallabies will want.

They're at home, they're playing a Springboks side weakened by injury, and a win could set them set them on the path to their first Rugby Championship title since 2011. Presuming they could also emerge unscathed from a trip to Mendoza and a clash with the Pumas, Australia would then host the All Blacks in Sydney needing victory to secure the spoils.

Ins and outs:

The Wallabies' team to take on the Springboks has something of a vintage look to it. With a recent alteration in eligibility laws, several offshore Australians have returned to the national team, while Will Genia and Quade Cooper will link for the first time since 2013. Genia will take the No9 jersey and Cooper, having endured an injury-hit season with the Reds, has managed to earn selection at first five ahead of Bernard Foley.

Matt Giteau will earn his 93rd cap after being named to start at second five - the playmaker's first test in four years - while flanker David Pocock and winger Drew Mitchell will wear the Wallabies jersey for the first time since 2012.

Talking point:

It has to be the overhaul immediately enacted by coach Michael Cheika, who certainly made the most of the new eligibility laws in his first opportunity. Just six men have retained their positions in the run-on XV from the Wallabies' last match - a loss to England at Twickenham - with Israel Folau and Rob Horne remaining in the backs, while Rob Simmons, Michael Hooper, James Slipper and Sekope Kepu survive from the forwards.

While it could seem a gamble from Cheika, given the limited preparation time before the World Cup, these are hardly debutants he's calling on. Along with the likes of Giteau and Mitchell, captain Stephen Moore is returning to the Wallabies after suffering a serious knee injury on the same ground last season, while prop Greg Holmes will play his first since 2007 - akin the All Blacks recalling Carl Hayman.