Coach John Connolly claims anything less than a third World Cup title would be a failure for Australia as they Wallabies departed Sydney in their bid to reclaim the Webb Ellis Cup.

The Wallabies will spend the next week in camp in Portugal finalising preparations for their World Cup opener against Japan in Lyon, France, on September 8.

Their second group match, against Wales in Cardiff on September 15, looms as the litmus test for the Wallabies' Cup credentials.

But Connolly left no doubt as to his expectations before the team jetted off from Sydney Airport.

"I guess everyone that goes to the World Cup, if you're in the top seven or eight countries in the world, which we are, the goal is to win the World Cup, so anything short of that is a failure I guess," Connolly said.

"Wales is obviously a focus game for us.

"We've got to work our way through Japan first, but if we get through Wales, then we'll probably know where we're headed.

"It is very much a yardstick for us."

While South Africa and northern hemisphere nations still have warm-up games in hand, Australia and favourites New Zealand will both have gone seven weeks without a competitive match before opening their Cup campaigns.

While not ideal, Connolly said he was "comfortable" with where his team were at after the Tri-Nations.

"We always had that situation on the back of not playing for six to eight weeks, trying to compensate with training, and it always takes time, a game or so, to recapture that form, but we're comfortable with that, the course we're taking," Connolly said.

After having to endure a fortnight of negative press over Lote Tuqiri and Matt Dunning's midnight curfew and various other off-field matters, Connolly said the week-long camp in Portugal would be something of a welcome relief for the playing squad.

"It probably is an advantage, the players are under a lot of pressure and some things haven't helped us the last few weeks, all the stuff that's been written, and it's good for us to get away," Connolly said.

Tuqiri told the Nine Network he would have no trouble adhering to his midnight curfew, while also denying reports he would be seeking an early release from his five-year $5 million ARU contract next season and return to rugby league.

"I don't see myself going anywhere, I'm going to stick this out, I signed a contract," the star winger said.

"There may be forces out their trying to get rid of me, but we'll just see what's going on and go from there.

"Certain people have agendas, but I try to work in reality rather than perception."

On his midnight curfew, imposed after a late night in Brisbane last week, Tuqiri added: "We live by riles rules, this is just one of them that's come up and no-one's going to go out and party at the World Cup, this is what we do and this is what we aim for every four years. I won't be turning into a pumpkin."

Star back Matt Giteau has also been under intense scrutiny in recent days amid reports he may seek a release from his multi-million deal with the Western Force to return to Canberra with Super 14 rivals the Brumbies next season.

Before leaving with the Wallabies he again pledged his commitment to fulfilling the final two seasons of his three-year deal with the Force.

"I'm not too sure (if I'll return to the Brumbies in the future), to be honest I've still got two more years with the Western Force and that's all I've really focused on, and I intend to fulfill those obligations there with the Force," Giteau said.

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