Connolly's squad featured very few surprises, with young fly half Berrick Barnes inclusion as 2nd choice seen by some as a risk. The Queensland Reds 21-year old made the cut over Sam Norton-Knight, a move that was not predicted by many.

Elsewhere it's as expected for the Wallabies.

Winger Lote Tuqiri and prop Matt Dunning are both included after what the ARU called ‘late-night socializing in Brisbane' a fortnight ago. The pair have been given a midnight curfew by the Union however, a move that captain Sterling Mortlock believes the whole squad should adapt to. He told their official website, http://www.aru.com.au/

"I think one-in all-in's a good one to live by, and it certainly echoes most of the mindsets of the team. That being said, two guys have been forced into a situation, and I'm sure most guys in the squad will be more than happy to back them up. No doubt the team will talk about that and assess whether we want to do that. Obviously two guys in our squad have a curfew imposed on them. But it is not too far from our guidelines that we expect each other to abide by anyway. And from our perspective, it is important in a World Cup for us to prepare as well as we can and hopefully to play as well as we can."

Elsewhere, experienced outside half Stephan Larkham is also in, despite his club career being in serious jeopardy. Larkham had agreed a move to Scottish Region, Edinburgh, but arguments between the SRU and Edinburgh look to have reached a stage where the SRU will take control of the region. That puts Larkham's move in major doubt, something he'll have to avoid thinking about until Australia's participation in the tournament is no more.

Number eights Wycliff Palu and David Lyons are both included, overcoming injuries at the crucial stage to be named in Connolly's squad, however only time will tell wheather the duo are really match ready.

Connolly told the BBC today;

"We'll pick close to our best side for Japan and we'll run with that for the Wales game (in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 15 September),"

However, that could well be a ploy by the street-wise coach to try and outsmart his Welsh counterpart, Gareth Jenkins.

Australia's Rugby World Cup Squad

Chris Latham (Queensland Reds), Julian Huxley (ACT Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies), Lote Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs), Mark Gerrard (ACT Brumbies), Drew Mitchell (Western Force), Stirling Mortlock (ACT Brumbies, capt), Matt Giteau (Western Force), Scott Staniforth (Western Force), Stephen Larkham (ACT Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds), George Gregan (ACT Brumbies, vice-capt) Sam Cordingley (Queensland Reds)

David Lyons (NSW Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs), Stephen Hoiles (ACT Brumbies), Hugh McMeniman (Queensland Reds), Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs, vice-capt), George Smith (ACT Brumbies), Rocky Elsom (NSW Waratahs), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Dan Vickerman (NSW Waratahs), Mark Chisholm (ACT Brumbies), Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs), Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs), Greg Holmes (Queensland Reds), Guy Shepherdson (ACT Brumbies), Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds), Sean Hardman (Queensland Reds), Adam Freier (NSW Waratahs)

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