Australia Player Biographies

Following are brief biographies of the Australian World Cup squad (ages correct at start of tournament):

ROD MACQUEEN (coach). Age 49. Appointed in September 1997 following the resignation of Greg Smith. A former Australian selector with almost 30 years coaching experience. Was the popular choice for the job after steering the ACT Brumbies to the final of the 1997 Super 12. A former champion surf lifesaver, Macqueen is an innovative coach who advocates expansive rugby featuring intricate backline moves.

MATTHEW BURKE. Fullback. Age 26. 1.84m. 98kg. Caps: 38. A prolific point scorer and one of the few players in the world capable of winning matches on his own. Already Australia's most-capped fullback, he holds the Australian record for the most points in a test (39) and the world record for the most points against New Zealand (24). Only real problem is that he is extremely injury-prone.

JOE ROFF. Fullback/wing. Age 25. 1.92m. 100kg. Caps: 45. Occupation: Student. A naturally gifted player who has represented Australia at every level. Dynamic and durable at wing or fullback. Has missed only three of last 40 tests. Began the 1999 season in brilliant form, winning the award as Australia's Super 12 player of the season and playing a starring role in the Wallabies' Centenary test victory over England, but has struggled since then and eventually lost his starting place during the Tri-Nations series.

CHRIS LATHAM. Fullback/wing. Age 24. 1.92m. 93kg. Caps: Five. Strongly-built third-string fullback. An unpredictable player who has scored some sensational solo tries for Queensland. Has always played well when called up for national duty and was one of the stars of last year's trip to Europe.

SCOTT STANIFORTH. Wing. Age 22. 1.86m. 96kg. Uncapped. Student. The only uncapped player in the squad but has been making giant strides in the senior game since catching the selectors' attention four years ago as a member of the Australian Schoolboys team.

BEN TUNE. Wing. Age 22. 1.85m. 92kg. Caps: 31.. Rated among the finest finishers in world rugby. Already one of the game's most recognisable figures because of the trademark aquaplane dive he employs when scoring tries. However, he has endured a frustrating time over the past two seasons because of a chronic knee injury. He missed last year's World Cup qualifiers and the tour of Europe as well as the first half of this season but is now fully fit and poised to be one of the stars of the tournament.

TIM HORAN. Centre. Age 29. 1.83m. 93kg. Caps: 74. Leasing Consultant. Australia's most experienced test player has made a permanent return to inside centre after several experimental appearances at fly half, wing and fullback. Creative in attack and cool in defence and remains a trump card despite losing some of his pace over the years after suffering a career-threatening knee injury.

DANIEL HERBERT. Centre. Age 25. 1.88m. 100kg. Caps: 33. One of the world's best centres. In brilliant form over the past two seasons after claiming his starting place at the expense of Little. Scored a try on his test debut against Ireland in 1994 with his first touch of the ball. A series of injuries reduced his international appearances over the next few seasons before he cemented his test spot in 1998.

NATHAN GREY. Centre. Age 24. 1.85m. 96kg. Caps: 13. A hard running and tough tackling centre who also scored a try on his test debut, against Scotland in Sydney last year. Played with great determination on the 1998 Wallaby tour of France and the UK but has struggled to reproduce that form this year, making only fleeting appearances in the test side.

STEPHEN LARKHAM. Flyhalf. Age 25. 1.88m. 87kg. Caps: 25. Student. One of the great finds of Australian rugby in recent years. Discovered playing scrumhalf in a second grade club match three years ago, Has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the international stage. After starting as a winger, was moved to flyhalf in 1988 as part of an ongoing experiment to find a permanent replacement for Michael Lynagh. An unconventional number 10, he possesses great running and defensive skills, but is prone to injury and missed the entire 1999 domestic season because of a knee problem.

ROD KAFER. Flyhalf. Age 28, 1.76m. 96kg. Caps: One. Commodities trader. Chosen to make his test debut for the Wallabies against New Zealand in 1995 but missed his chance when he broke his foot in a freak training accident. Didn't get a second opportunity until August this year against the All Blacks, playing well enough to snatch a place in the squad as Larkham's back-up.

GEORGE GREGAN. Scrumhalf. Age 26. 1.73m. 80kg. Caps: 49. Australia's vice-captain, Gregan is one of the most aggressive and competitive scrumhalves in world rugby. Born in Zambia but migrated to Australia with his parents when he was aged one. A brilliant defender who will always be remembered for his last-minute match-winning tackle on All Black Jeff Wilson in the 1994 Bledisloe Cup.

CHRIS WHITAKER. Scrumhalf. Age 24 (25 on October 19). 1.79m. 85kg. Caps: Four. Student. Reserve behind Gregan and rarely sees much playing time but has impressed on the rare occasions he has taken the field. A dangerous broken field runner, also a courageous defender with a good passing game.

TOUTAI KEFU. Number eight. Age 25. 1.91m. 106kg. Caps: 21. Student. Hard running, hard-hitting and has emerged as one of Australia's trump cards. Scored a spectacular solo try against the French in Paris last season and was named man of the match in Australia's record 21-point win over New Zealand in August. Loves to charge onto the ball from wide of the ruck, running straight at the opposition's backline.

TIAAN STRAUSS. Number eight/flanker. Age 33. 1.89m. 104kg. Caps: Seven (plus 15 for South Africa). Solicitor. A former Springbok captain, moved to Sydney and switched codes to rugby league after being left out of the 1995 South African World Cup squad. Returned to union in 1998, playing for NSW, and graduated to the Australian team in 1999 after qualifying to play for his adopted homeland. Scored three tries against Ireland in a storming Wallaby debut, but is mostly used as an impact player coming off the bench in the second half.

JIM WILLIAMS. Number eight/flanker. Age 30. 1.93m. 110kg. Caps: Three. Council Ranger. Made his test debut against Ireland this year at an age when most players are thinking about retirement. A tough, hard-running backrower who started his senior career as a winger and adds mobility to the pack.

TOM BOWMAN. Lock. Age 23. 2.01m. 118kg. Caps: 15. Clothing consultant. Burst onto the international scene in 1998, partnering Eales at lock in 12 of Australia's 13 tests. Capped his first test season with a brilliant solo try against New Zealand, side-stepping Jonah Lomu but form fell away in 1999 as he lost his place in the team. Originally left out of squad but brought in to replace injured Brett Robinson.

DAVID WILSON. Flanker. Age 32. 1.87m. 96kg. Caps: 67. Marketing Consultant. His country's most-capped forward who has set new standards for openside flanker play in Australia since his test career began in 1992. Captained Australia twice in 1997 and a further seven times this season because of Eales' unavailability through injury.

MATT COCKBAIN. Flanker/lock. Age 27. 1.97m. 108kg. Caps: 26. Draftsman. The 'hitman' of the Wallaby pack. Didn't play his first game of rugby until he was 16 but has wasted little time catching up. A tough and uncompromising blindside flanker and occasional second rower.

OWEN FINEGAN. Flanker/lock. Age 27. 1.98m. 114kg. Caps: 27. Electrician. A backrower who can also play lock, Finegan is primarily used as an impact player off the bench. Suffered a serious shoulder injury during pre-season training but has recovered in time to make the squad.

MARK CONNORS. Flanker/lock. Age 28. 1.96m. 104kg. Caps: Four. Solicitor. Scored first test try in 28-7 win over New Zealand last month to secure his place in the squad.

JOHN EALES (captain). Lock. Age 29. Height: 2.00m. Weight: 115kg. International caps: 64. Captain since 1996 and one of the finest players Australia has ever produced and is one of four surviving members of the 1991 World Cup team. A fierce competitor who does everything from winning lineouts, to making try-saving cover tackles and kicking goals. Nicknamed 'Nobody' (as in Nobody's Perfect') by team mates. Has not played a single international this year after sustaining a serious shoulder injury in pre-season training but is now fully fit.

DAVID GIFFIN. Lock. Age 25. 1.98m. 115kg. Caps: 10. Named man of the match on his test debut against Wales in 1996 but missed most of the next season after breaking his foot, then his hand. Now injury free and in great form.

ANDREW BLADES. Prop. Age 31. 1.78m. 109kg. Caps: 27. Technical Programs Manager. A cornerstone of the Wallaby scrum over the past three seasons. Reached the top the slow way, making his first Wallaby tour in 1992 but not having to wait another four years for his test debut.

DAN CROWLEY. Prop. Age 34. 1.75m. 103kg. Caps: 34. Private investigator. A 'no nonsense' loosehead prop who thrives on the heavy forward clashes. Has been in and out of the squad for the past decade, including the 1991 World Cup - when he didn't make the starting XV. Scored his first test try against Samoa in 1998 -- nine years after making his test debut.

RICHARD HARRY. Prop. Age 31. 1.8cm. 120kg. Caps: 25. A former backrower who is now an established part of the front three. The son of ARU President, Phil Harry, he lost his place through injury in 1998 but has fought his way back this season.

PATRICIO NORIEGA. Prop. Age 27 (28 on October 22). 1.85m. 119kg. Caps: nine (plus 22 for Argentina). A former Puma who moved to Australia after the 1995 World Cup, making his debut for the Wallabies in 1998. Equally at home either at loosehead or tighthead and one of the world's foremost scrummagers.

PHIL KEARNS. Hooker. Age 32. 1.83m. 110kg. Caps: 65. Another survivor of the 1991 team and Australia's most-capped hooker. Staged a remarkable comeback to test rugby in 1998 after an 18-month battle to overcome Achilles and knee injuries. Nicknamed 'Lightning' (as in Lightning never strikes the same place twice) because of his sometimes erratic lineout throwing.

JEREMY PAUL. Hooker. Age 22, 1.86m. 109kg. Caps: 10. Student. Born in New Zealand but raised in Australia from an early age. Burst onto the international scene last year when selected as Kearns' deputy for the domestic test season. Lost his place on the end of season tour to Europe but fought back to make starting team for the early season tests.

MICHAEL FOLEY. Hooker. Age 32. 1.81m. 106kg. Caps: 25. Student. Vastly experienced, made test debut as a replacement during the 1995 World Cup but may find himself as the odd man out during this year's championship.

Reuters contributed to this report.