Rugby World Cup Kicks Off This Friday

With the 2011 Castrol Edge Tri Nations series concluding the ARU wishes to thank all supporters for their loyal support throughout the year.

Robbie Deans yesterday announced a 22-man squad for the opening Rugby World Cup match this Sunday. The squad list and telecast times can be found below;  you will find the full Team announcement, information regarding our exclusive Gold Coast Sevens - Fever Pitch offer, details on how to secure Rugby World Cup tickets and information surrounding new memberships.

The group that recently hooked Australia's first Tri Nations title in a decade have been rewarded for that performance by being retained as a unit for Sunday's Rugby World Cup Pool C opener against Italy at North Harbour Stadium after the team was announced today.

Australia beat New Zealand 25-20 at Brisbane 11 days ago to clinch the Southern Hemisphere championship.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and his fellow selectors, Coaching coordination David Nucifora and Assistant Coach Jim Williams, have chosen to make no changes to the starting XV from that occasion for this weekend's assignment.

This decision means that Queensland Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper will retain the goal-kicking duties, after returning four from six in the pressure-filled atmosphere last time out. More...

JEM and Farewell Photos

The Wallabies have had a very exciting couple of weeks leading up to their departure for the Rugby World Cup.

Please follow the links below to view photos from the John Eales Medal and their farewell at Sydney Square, Town Hall.

John Eales Medal Photos

Farewell Photos

Rugby World Cup BROADCAST DETAILS

Channel 9/WIN
LIVE in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide on Channel 9 from 13:00 AEST.

LIVE in Darwin on Channel 9 from 12:30 AEST.

LIVE in Melbourne on Channel 9 from 13:30 AEST.

LIVE in Perth on Channel 9 from 11:00 AEST.

LIVE in Hobart on WIN from 13:30 AEST.

LIVE in Canberra on WIN from 13:00 AEST.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Fox Sports 3/3HD
Coverage Live, Sunday from 13:30 AEST.
Sunday, 11 September 2011

AUSTRALIA

Australia v Italy
North Harbour Stadium, North Harbour
Sunday, 11 September 2011

The Starting Line Up
15 Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)
13 Anthony Fainga'a (Queensland Reds)
12 Pat McCabe (Brumbies)
11 Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
10 Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
9 Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
8 Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)
7 David Pocock (Western Force)
6 Rocky Elsom (Brumbies)
5 James Horwill (Queensland Reds) (c)
4 Dan Vickerman (NSW Waratahs)
3 Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1 Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)

The Bench
16 Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17 James Slipper (QLD Reds)
18 Rob Simmons (QLD Reds)
19 Ben McCalman (Western Force)
20 Scott Higginbotham(Queensland Reds)
21 Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)

22 James O'Connor (Western Force)
Rugby.com.au