Australia depart for World Cup with eyes on trophy

The Wallabies flew out of Sydney yesterday bound for the World Cup in France, knowing that anything less than winning the tournament will amount to failure.

Australia are already the most successful country in the World Cup's short history, having won the title in 1991 and 1999 and reached the final in 2003. They are also among the favourites to win in France.

While New Zealand are considered the team to beat, Australia coach John Connolly said the Wallabies were going to France full of belief.

"If you're in the top seven or eight countries in the world, the goal is to win the World Cup," Connolly told reporters at Sydney airport before the team's departure.

"So, anything short of that is a failure I guess."

Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock said the Australians, who will spend a week training in Portugal before heading to France, were hitting their peak at the right time after a couple of lean seasons.

"The team has worked hard over the past two years to prepare for this World Cup," Mortlock said.

"We're very confident we've got an excellent squad. There's a great deal of experience and talent."

Mortlock said the Wallabies had been given an added incentive to win the tournament for their departing halves George Gregan and Stephen Larkham.

The pair, who have both played in excess of 100 tests for Australia, were members of the Wallabies team that won the 1999 World Cup final in Wales and are retiring from international rugby at the end of the competition.