Australia have some of the best threequarters in international rugby union; with the jewel in their crown undoubtedly centre Stirling Mortlock.

Mortlock is a powerful runner and deceptively quick for a big man. He is also difficult to bring down and has an uncanny knack of scoring vital tries for his country.

The Wallabies like nothing more than to run with the ball and spin it out wide - and no wonder when they have a wing of Lote Tuqiri's calibre. Like Mortlock, Tuqiri is big and strong, and he is also a wonderfully gifted runner with ball in hand.

Australia also have one of the most versatile threequarters around in Matt Giteau, who is equally adept in either of the half-back positions, but is undoubtedly best suited to centre, where on his day he can be truly devastating.

Although the Wallabies possess plenty of riches in their backline, they are not quite so lucky when it comes to forwards. Australian fans no doubt still shudder at the mauling their pack was given by England, and in particular Andrew Sheridan, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Since then matters have improved, with Australia's New Zealand-born coach Robbie Deans making it one of his priorites to get the Wallabies' forwards working as a cohesive unit. Slowly but surely they are getting it right - as was shown in their 2008 Tri-Nations displays.