Sidelined Matthew Burke believes the makeshift Wallabies line-up to be named on Monday could prove a Rugby World Cup bonus - and history agrees there's no cause for panic.

The 24-man Australian squad for next month's Tests against Ireland, Wales and England is expected to contain at least three players, bolter Scott Fava, Morgan Turinui and former league star Lote Tuqiri, to earn their first call-up.

It's believed hard-running Brumbies No.8 Fava will be rewarded for a strong season while Turinui will get first chance at outside centre and Tuqiri will vie with Wendell Sailor for a wing spot.

With seven injured Test regulars missing from the squad, there's been consternation about the unsettled preparation for the World Cup, starting in October.

But the Wallaby side which won the tournament in 1999 was in a similar predicament four months out from that tournament.

While the injury toll in the backline wasn't as extensive, the Wallabies missed a number of key players early in their build-up.

Skipper John Eales only returned to rugby for the World Cup after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction, as did backrower Owen Finegan, who scored a try in the final.

Five-eighth Stephen Larkham, who is out for the three domestic Tests with elbow damage, also missed the entire 1999 international season leading into the 1999 Cup after suffering a knee injury midway through the Super 12.

In his place, Nathan Spooner started two Tests against Ireland in June '99, inside centre Tim Horan was then shifted to No.10 where he struggled for four Tests before Rod Kafer was brought in for Australia's triumphant final Tri-Nations match against New Zealand.

The forwards were also unsettled in 1999, with the same Wallaby front row only appearing twice in seven Tests, and four different lock combinations trialled.

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