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SYDNEY - Australia captain Stirling Mortlock believes the Wallabies are in better shape heading into this year's World Cup than they were four years ago when they reached the final.
The Wallabies lost the 2003 final to England in extra-time after a last-minute drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson but Mortlock thinks they can go one better this time.
"I've got no doubts the confidence and belief is matched, at least the same, if not better than it was in 2003," Mortlock told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.
"The Wallabies have always had a lot of inner belief and that's been consistent with this team."
Mortlock, who was awarded the captaincy ahead of 2003 skipper George Gregan when the World Cup squad was announced, said the key to Australia's self-belief was the team's experience.
Almost half the squad were members of the side that made the 2003 final while there are four survivors from the triumphant 1999 squad. Gregan, who will retire from international rugby after the tournament, will be appearing in his fourth World Cup.
"There's a lot of guys who have had exposure to World Cups and a lot of guys who were in the World Cup final and that's a real positive," Mortlock said.
"We can draw upon that as the World Cup gets closer and hopefully, as we progress through the tournament and as the pressure builds, use all that knowledge and experience the guys have had in those situations."
- REUTERS
