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Main issues

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has had to balance his Rugby World Cup planning with his Waratahs duties, and he has done so by holding a series of squad meetings usually after Super Rugby derbies. The scrum remains a problem area for the Wallabies, as evidenced by the end-of-year tour in 2014, and finding the best front-row combination from the solid Waratahs, Brumbies and Reds scrums will be a priority.

Squad strength

The Wallabies boast an abundance of quality backs and the back-row is another area of strength, particularly at openside flanker where there are four world-class options. The injury to Sam Carter has raised questions around lock, however, although the likes of Lopeti Timani and Rory Arnold have played themselves into contention with fine Super Rugby seasons. James Slipper and Stephen Moore appear to be the first-choice loose-head and hooker options but the situation is less clear at tight-head. Incumbent Sekope Kepu is likely to get first crack but Reds veteran Greg Holmes could be a bolter because of his strong set-piece work.

Injury concerns

Aside from the aforementioned Carter, the Wallabies have fared reasonably well compared with their trans-Tasman neighbours on the injury front. Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau continues to battle concussion symptoms while No.8 Ben McCalman is out for six weeks with a fractured cheekbone. Quade Cooper had missed a large chunk of the Super Rugby season, but he returned in Round 16 to give Cheika another option to consider at No.10.

What the locals are saying

"Size doesn't guarantee you anything in Test rugby, particularly against the All Blacks whose multi-faceted game and high skill levels remain the benchmark. But to neglect it underestimates the sheer frightening ferocity of the collisions these days. You can still play the game beautifully, but not without some beasts. And Australia may be getting there." - Paul Cully, Sydney Morning Herald