The appointment of Eddie Jones as head coach opens the door for Australia to make an unlikely charge towards winning this year's World Cup in France, believes former Wallaby Morgan Turinui.
Kiwi Dave Rennie has been handed his marching orders by Rugby Australia, with Jones confirmed for a sensational return to the national team, 17 years after his sacking in 2005, despite leading them to the 2003 World Cup final.
With World Rugby rankings dictating tournament seedings, this year's World Cup sees the All Blacks, hosts France, world No.1 Ireland and reigning champions South Africa on the same side of the draw. Barring upsets, those four teams will face each other in the quarter-finals.
On the other side of the draw, the likes of Australia, England, Argentina and Wales have been handed a relatively easier task, and easier progression to the final four.
Coupled with Jones' exceptional World Cup record, including final appearances with Australia in 2003 and England in 2019, and a winner's medal with South Africa in 2007, France 2023 could be his stage again.
"It's a good run through," Turinui told Newshub. "It's the best run Australia will ever get, it's the best run teams on that side of the draw will ever get.
"There's a decent chance the Wallabies can go deep under Eddie. With the exception of the All Blacks, they won't be scared to play too many teams.
"They know they can beat France and Ireland… they know they can beat South Africa.
"You've got the most experienced World Cup coach available back in. He knows the World Cup, he knows the kind of beast it is, he knows what a sprint into a World Cup is like, he knows to avoid the speed bumps and potholes throughout the tournament.
"There's an amazing amount of IP in there, which could genuinely prove the difference for this Wallabies group."
The Wallabies are placed in Pool C, alongside Fiji, Wales, Georgia and Portugal.
Should they progress to the quarter-finals, they would likely meet one of Argentina, England or Japan in the second round.
