Rugby: Giteau, Mitchell, Smith available for tests - Cheika

Drew Mitchell, centre, and George Smith, right, are back in the Wallabies picture. Photo / NZME.

Overseas-based stars Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and George Smith are all available as the Wallabies begin the countdown to the World Cup by targeting the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup trophies.

Coach Michael Cheika said yesterday he'd spoken to the trio of test veterans - who became eligible under relaxed Australian Rugby Union rules - and all had put their hands up from the opening test against South Africa in Brisbane on July 18.

"They've all shown their interest in playing, so it all comes down to the selection table like everyone else," Cheika said at the Wallabies' jersey launch in Sydney.

"I think they've played well, all of them. Matt and Drew in a team that's gone well and George in a team that's been struggling in Lyon."

One hundred days out from World Cup kick-off at Twickenham, rugby's showpiece is a huge lure but Cheika and his players are concentrating on gaining a flying start before contesting their Cup pool of death which includes England and Wales.

To do that they aim to make the most of the abbreviated Rugby Championship series and finally overcome the world champion All Blacks to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup, something Australia hasn't done for 13 years.

"It's my first experience with [the Bledisloe Cup] and I'm going to be extremely eager to try and do our best against the best team in the world," Cheika said.

Queensland and Wallabies prop James Slipper is tired of seeing the All Blacks holding up the Bledisloe trophy and believes there will seldom be a better time to turn the tables.

"I'm sick of it ... I want it that bad," Slipper said. "It's one trophy that most rugby players would put first."

Cheika said he would pick a squad of around 45 at the end of the Super Rugby regular season this weekend, including the many still playing in the finals. He will then whittle the squad down to 35 for the opening two tests of the campaign against South Africa and Argentina.

- AAP