Australia hopes of success at the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup have been dealt a blow after they were drawn in a difficult group for the 12-team tournament in England next year.

The Wallaroos will come up against defending champions New Zealand, a powerful South Africa side and Wales in Pool A next August.

Despite the tough draw, the team remains confident they can match it with the best, squad member Debby Hodgkinson said.

"It's a challenge to be drawn with New Zealand and South Africa but you've got to beat the best to win the World Cup," she said.

"Hopefully we'll be able to knock them off."

Hodgkinson said New Zealand will be out for revenge after the Aussies smashed them in the inaugural Women's Sevens World Cup in Dubai earlier this year.

"There's a large number of girls who were involved in the Sevens World Cup win, coming to England and they know how to win," she said.

The World Cup takes place from August 20 to September 5 and features three pools of four nations followed by a finals series.

Australia's finished seventh at the last World Cup in Canada in 2006.

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