Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies need to earn every win to escape 'pool of death,' says Michael Cheika

Australia will be featured in the “pool of death” of the 2015 Rugby World Cup tournament, which will kickoff this week. Ranked as world No. 2, the Qantas Wallabies are the favourites to emerge as the winner in their group stage that includes England, Fiji, Wales, and Uruguay. However, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was quick to remind his side that everything needs to be earned to escape a surprisingly tough pool A.

The Wallabies will start their World Cup campaign against new Pacific champions Fiji, who is ranked ninth in the world, with Australia expected to run every member in its 31-strong squad against Fiji and Uruguay. While it suggests the Wallabies will not give its all-out best in their first two games of the quadrennial tournament with two separate starting lineups, Cheika believes there is no reason to let down as every game will be tough for his side.

“Teams in our pool will have a totally different lead-in and pathway through the tournament because there is no one feeling comfortable in our group and that’s the way it should be,” Cheika said, The Guardian reported. “We are going to have to earn everything we get and that’s definitely something we want to do.”

Australia have only played nine Tests under Cheika, but picked up along the Wallabies’ progress their first Rugby Championship in August against New Zealand. Despite being young experience-wise, the 48-year-old Cheika is comfortable with the progression the team has made since coming in to mentor the Wallabies last year.

The Wallabies were welcomed to their Bath base at a function on Wednesday, receiving well-wishes from the locals. Cheika, however, is convinced the welcomes and good lucks from fans will only last until they play England in the group stage.

"It will be a little bit different for us because we are in England's pool. Everything welcome and good luck will be tempered a bit,” Cheika said, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Australia will face Fiji on Sept. 24 at Cardiff before heading to Villa Park four days later to battle rugby minnows Uruguay.

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