Australia Coach Tim Sheens says his Kangaroos are doing everything they can to best prepare for the six-week World Cup campaign which begins against England at Cardiff's Millennium.
While England and New Zealand will play warm up games against Italy and the Cook Islands, Australia have chosen a program of intense training to have players battle-weary from a long NRL season ready for the tournament.
"Everyone is in the same boat, our competition and Super League finish late," said Sheens.
"You get a week or so to get them ready. That's why we're going two weeks early to adjust to the conditions after the conditions here in Australia which are so hot.
"We really need to adapt to the cold, settle them down and get over the travel.
"We're doing everything we can to prepare well and I think we will be prepared well."
While England are in full swing in a high performance training camp in South Africa, Sheens is nursing a number of players with niggling injuries.
It's believed Matt Scott, Luke Lewis and Nate Myles are in doubt for the opener in less than two weeks.
"We have 90% to 95% of our first team against England picked, but there are still a couple of minor issues, a couple of guys who are a little underdone." said Sheens.
"That may affect the selection for the first game."
While England and New Zealand will play warm up games against Italy and the Cook Islands, Australia have chosen a program of intense training to have players battle-weary from a long NRL season ready for the tournament.
"Everyone is in the same boat, our competition and Super League finish late," said Sheens.
"You get a week or so to get them ready. That's why we're going two weeks early to adjust to the conditions after the conditions here in Australia which are so hot.
"We really need to adapt to the cold, settle them down and get over the travel.
"We're doing everything we can to prepare well and I think we will be prepared well."
While England are in full swing in a high performance training camp in South Africa, Sheens is nursing a number of players with niggling injuries.
It's believed Matt Scott, Luke Lewis and Nate Myles are in doubt for the opener in less than two weeks.
"We have 90% to 95% of our first team against England picked, but there are still a couple of minor issues, a couple of guys who are a little underdone." said Sheens.
"That may affect the selection for the first game."
