The return of James Horwill and Dan Vickerman in time for the Rugby World Cup has the touring Wallabies forwards nervous.

With the five-Test spring tour an early audition for next year's tournament in New Zealand, Australia's locks are in a shoot-out which will start determining who would miss out for fully fit Horwill and Vickerman.

"Obviously it's a significant tour for myself," second-rower Dean Mumm told reporters in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

"The key thing is I'm here and the opportunity to play is in front of me, so that's the way I see it and we keep moving on.

"There's seven games (including midweek fixtures after Saturday's Test against the All Blacks) and it's hopefully seven opportunities to perform."

Australia have struggled with depth in the position since Vickerman left to study at Cambridge University and Horwill suffered a serious knee injury, relying on some career-best form from veteran lock Nathan Sharpe to carry the lineout.

An injury to Sharpe in the loss to South Africa in Pretoria in August exposed the potential for trouble at the set piece.

This year's tour to Hong Kong and Europe will allow the likes of Mumm, Rob Simmons and veteran Van Humphries to top up the talent pool.

While Sharpe and the experienced Mark Chisholm are likely to be named in Australia's side to take on the All Blacks at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday, midweek matches against Leicester and Munster will provide opportunity for others.

"It's exciting when you have depth and the pressure is to perform," Mumm said.

"That's exactly what you want if you're a coach and it's what you want if you're a player or even a fan of the game, to have options when someone's not performing.

"There might be pressure but I'm here on the tour, some blokes are unlucky not to be, so the opportunity's mine at the moment."

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