As Australia heads into the first Test of the season with a new-look backline, Wallaby great John Eales pronounced the team favourites for the Rugby World Cup.

The Wallaby team to play Ireland in Perth on Saturday will be named on Tuesday with Steve Kefu and Morgan Turinui expected to be the new midfield pairing, playing outside Elton Flatley.

Eales said the squad looked very good, despite the injury problems in the backs.

"Obviously they're missing quite a few, I think eight Wallabies were out of consideration, so that probably gave a good opportunity to blood a few new guys," the retired captain told reporters today.

"Certainly if you look at the team it's pretty impressive from front to back."

Eales said despite the criticism Australia copped last season, the team should be labelled favourite for the October World Cup.

"I think Australia have just shown that they're so hard to beat at home, similar to England, and we've got to remember the World Cup is being played here and the semi-final and final is going to be at Stadium Australia where Australia are a really strong team.

"They've lost one Test match there, I think they're going to be pretty hard to beat."

Eales said the forward pack would be competitive and his old position of lock was well covered.

"I think we've got more depth in the second row than we've had for a long time.

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