ROUTE MASTER

WO-TIMES WINNERS, two-times runners-up, another two semi-final appearances. When it comes to Rugby World Cups, Australia know how to time their run and peak at the perfect moment. They have always reached at least the knockout stages and have made it to the last four on all but two occasions. Their record at rugby’s four-yearly global jamboree is surpassed only by New Zealand.

The Wallabies will be hoping history repeats in the next couple of months and that they maintain that tradition of finding their best form for World Cups, particularly after a disappointing 2018. They won just four of 13 Tests last year and former Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham was later axed from the coaching team after he and Michael Cheika couldn’t agree on “attacking strategy and overall game philosophy”.

Then there is the ongoing Israel Folau saga. The squad will insist it hasn’t caused any disruption but it must at least have been an unwanted distraction as