Eales picks Wallabies to win World Cup

FORMER captain John Eales yesterday pronounced World Cup holders Australia as favourites to again claim the rug

As the Wallabies prepare to name their team to play Ireland in Perth on Saturday in the Australians first Test of the season, Eales said the Australian squad looked very good, despite injury problems among the backs.

"Obviously they're missing quite a few, I think eight Wallabies were out of consideration, so that probably gave a good opportunity to blood a few new guys," Eales said.

"Certainly if you look at the team, it's pretty impressive from front to back."

Eales said that despite the criticism Australia received during last season, the team should be labelled favourites for the October-November showpiece.

"I think Australia have just shown that they're so hard to beat at home similar to England.

"We've got to remember the World Cup is being played here and the semi-final and final are going to be at Stadium Australia where Australia are a really strong team.

"They've lost only one Test match there I think they're going to be pretty hard to beat."

Eales said rugby union had moved on considerably in the past two seasons since he retired and coach Eddie Jones had made changes to acknowledge the advance.

"There was very much a culture to just hold on to the ball and build pressure through continuous possession," he said.

"But the organisation of defences just keeps improving...so therefore you can't just keep on doing that because the defence will just keep getting ready and ready.

"So now there needs to be more emphasis on people who are able to break the line and then capitalise on that."