Wallabies legend Simon Poidevin suspects an unprecedented depth in Australian rugby will result in some hugely disappointed players missing out on World Cup selection this year.

A member of Australia's triumphant World Cup-winning side in 1991, Poidevin believes Australia is in a not dissimilar situation 20 years on.

"(Coach) Robbie Deans' hardest role and the selectors hardest role will be actually picking the squad because I think there's so many players who could be part of this World Cup mix," Poidevin told AAP.

"There's going to be some profound disappointments out there because I think we've built a base of talent over the last couple of years which we haven't seen before in many ways."

Poidevin wasn't surprised at how Australia's depth had increased since Deans took over as head coach.

"Just look at his historic agenda at the Crusaders. They always had this unbelievable depth of players and that didn't happen by accident," the former flanker said.

"It was Robbie and his management and coaches, building that base of players. That's why the Crusaders have been so successful."

He targeted the breakdown as an area crucial to Australia's prospects of winning the World Cup.

"I think it's all about in my view basically dominating the breakdown and keeping our ball and securing our ball and giving our backs quality ball," Poidevin said.

"If New Zealand have beaten us somewhere in the last five years, it's basically been at the breakdown."

Poidevin compared Will Genia to his World Cup-winning captain and halfback Nick Farr-Jones and felt the Queenslander was part of a group of relatively small backs who were broadening the game's appeal.

"He's absolutely, I think, a magnet to the game for young players," he said.

"That you've got this very fast elusive guy with magic vision that sees things that other players don't see on the field - Nick had that similar ability to read the play.

"I also think that what Robbie has going in his squad is important for the mums out there to say: 'Ok, it's not a big man's game'.

"You've got the likes of James O'Connor, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, who are midgets in many ways amongst some of the huge men.

"They are probably the best players on the field. I think that's really good."

Poidevin wasn't worried those players could be physically overpowered by larger backlines.

"It's all about technique, as Ben Lucas showed on the weekend for Queensland," Poidevin said.

"He was cutting guys down everywhere."

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