Down Under hoping to come out on top
Wallabies feel confident in World Cup preparation
Posted: Sunday September 27, 1998 12:17 PM
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Macqueen: "I think the team realizes we have to improve if we're going to be successful in the World Cup." Craig Prentis/Allsport |
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Australian rugby union coach Rod Macqueen said Sunday his team is on track for next year's World Cup after sweeping its Pacific Zone qualifiers.
But Macqueen, who warned the team needed to improve to catch favorite South Africa, viewed the qualifying tournament as the most important part of the year and were happy to have achieved their goal of qualifying first.
Victories over Fiji (66-20), Tonga (74-0) and Saturday night over Samoa (25-13) assured Australia would land in its preferred pool in Ireland where it would probably play that country, the United States and a European nation.
Australia finished its first domestic and southern hemisphere campaign under Macqueen with a highly creditable record of nine wins and two losses, with both defeats being inflicted by eventual Tri Nations champion, South Africa.
Internationals away to England and France in November will conclude a 13-test year, the heaviest in its history.
"Obviously our goals are all around next year and I think the team realizes we have to improve if we're going to be successful in the World Cup," Macqueen said Sunday.
"But having said that, I think there is definitely some improvement that can come out of the side. It's been basically the side's first year together, considering there were eight new players at the start of the year."
"I think South Africa were clearly a better side than us this year and we have to take that other step up."
He said a 26-man squad for the tour of England and France would be announced after next month's inaugural State of the Union tournament between New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.
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