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The Wallabies have received the best draw imaginable for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. If results go according to seedings during the pool stages of the tournament, the Wallabies cannot run into the defending champion Springboks or the top-ranked All Blacks until the final.
In addition to landing on the opposite side of the draw as their two Tri Nations rivals, Australia have also been grouped in a relatively easy pool alongside Ireland, Italy and two qualifying teams from Europe and America.
Currently ranked eighth in the world, Ireland are the lowest-placed side from the so-called band two nations that the third-ranked Australians could have been pitted against in the pool stages.
If results go according to the seedings during the round-robin phase of play, the Wallabies will meet Wales in the quarter-finals.
Should they win that match, they would qualify for a semi-final against either Argentina or France, with South Africa or New Zealand likely to be awaiting the Wallabies in the final.
New Zealand and South Africa would not be so pleased with their draws.
Apart from having the more difficult prospective semi-final, the All Blacks have been grouped alongside France, who eliminated them from last year’s tournament, while the Springboks are in the same pool as reigning Six Nations champions Wales.
WORLD CUP DRAW
Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, playoff winner
Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1Quarter-final 1: Pool B winner v Pool A runner-up
Quarter-final 2: Pool C winner v Pool D runner-up
Quarter-final 3: Pool A winner v Pool B runner-up
Quarter-final 4: Pool D winner v Pool C runner-upSemi-final 1: Quarter-final 1 winner v Quarter-final 2 winner
Semi-final 2: quarter-final 3 winner v quarter-final 4 winnerFinal: Semi-final 1 winner v semi-final 2 winner
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.