The Wallabies have undergone massive changes under Robbie Deans since their traumatic exit to England in the quarterfinals of the last World Cup, and they have set their sights on a record-breaking third title.

Possibly only six of Australia's starting XV that succumbed to England's forward supremacy and the unerring goalkicking of Jonny Wilkinson will remain when the Wallabies open their campaign against Italy at North Harbour on September 11.

Former Canterbury Crusaders' coach Deans has reshaped the Wallabies, bringing together an exuberant attacking backline revolving around the sleight-of-hand ball skills of flyhalf Quade Cooper and his Queensland Reds halfback partner Will Genia.

Although it has been far from a smooth ride for Deans - with just a 55 percent success rate and few trophies - he has fashioned an exhilarating attack, an improving forward pack and a committed defence.

Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Digby Ioane and Adam Ashley-Cooper relish the time and space conjured by the unpredictable Cooper and are a match for any backline in world rugby.

But Australia's chances of securing a third Webb Ellis Trophy hinge on whether the backline can get enough front-foot ball from a forward pack, derided in the past for its suspect set-piece technique and physicality.

Deans has been working hard to inject some steel into the forward pack, led by Reds captain James Horwill who lifted the Super Rugby title earlier this year and recently replaced former skipper Rocky Elsom.

There were emerging signs that the Wallaby forwards will be no pushovers come the World Cup after they shoved the experienced Springbok pack around Durban's King's Park in a 14-9 Tri-Nations victory earlier this month.

Deans has nurtured David Pocock into a masterful No.7 in Richie McCaw's ball-winning image, along with introducing pacy loose forward Scott Higginbotham into the national team to complement the experience of Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Stephen Moore and Elsom.

The Wallabies' Achilles heel has been their front row, but Deans has addressed that weakness with the strength of Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper and Salesi Ma'afu.

Australia are ranked second to New Zealand and are expected to top Pool C where they have a 20-8-1 record over likely group rivals Ireland and are seeded to play either Wales, Fiji or Samoa in the quarterfinals.

The Wallabies have a rich record at the World Cup, winning the 1991 and 1999 finals, and finishing runner-up to England at home in 2003.

Given the improved depth of the squad in the three years under Deans, Australia are timing their run perfectly for a record third World Cup crown in the backyard of their fiercest rivals New Zealand.

Coach

Robbie Deans

New Zealander Deans became the first foreigner to coach the Wallabies when he was appointed in December 2007 on the back of a dominating coaching record of four Super rugby titles from six finals appearances with the Canterbury Crusaders. Deans was coveted by the Australian Rugby Union after he was by-passed for the All Blacks' coaching job when Graham Henry was reappointed in the wake of New Zealand's quarterfinal exit at the 2007 World Cup in France. Deans, who turns 52 next month, has transformed the Wallabies, blooding new young stars and looking to play an expansive 15-man game, centred around the ball-playing skills of flyhalf Quade Cooper and scrumhalf Will Genia.

Key player

Quade Cooper - flyhalf

Much depends on Cooper if Australia are to land their third World Cup title in New Zealand. The 23-year-old New Zealand-born playmaker has had a meteoric rise to rugby fame since his international debut in Italy in November 2008 and has played 26 internationals since then. Cooper is a quirky playmaker, often mesmerising opposing defences with his unpredictability and ability to put teammates into gaps with defence-splitting passes. Cooper's glaring weakness is his defensive technique and is often hidden at fullback or on the wing when the Wallabies are called on to defend.

AFP