World Cup in our sights: Sharpe

Dynamic Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe believes Australia is better prepared for the upcoming World Cup than it was four years ago.
Sharpe, who this week was named the 2007 John Eales medal winner, said players had high hopes within the team but were not feeling the pressure of expectation.
"In 2003 we were less prepared than we are now. That's a good sign considering we made the final in 2003," Sharpe told rugby.com.au.
"It's a good thing for this team that we have improved a lot in terms of how we are playing the game. We just need to be a bit more consistent."
"It's not such a bad thing that we didn't beat the All Blacks, as much as it hurt on the night. That gives them favouritism going into the Cup and Australian teams always like to be underdogs in these sorts of things and we'll use that to our advantage as well."
The Australian forward pack will be pivotal to the team's success in France and Sharpe is adamant things are on track.
"We've made a lot of improvement over the past six to 12 months with (forwards coach) Michael Foley leading the way and resolving a lot of technical issues that we probably let slip over the years," Sharpe said.
"The guys are doing very well there and the pleasing thing about it is the attitude. Everyone is working really hard to become the best forward pack in the world."
The 30-man World Cup squad will kick-off preparations with the first of three Australian-based training camps in Manly on July 31.
A more rigorous 'boot camp' could be on the agenda for the Wallabies before setting off abroad.
"The first camp in Sydney is more or less a continuation of the same sort of training we've been doing," Sharpe said.
"Then I think the second camp we're going up to Brisbane for a bit of an army style camp at this stage. It's a bit of a surprise at this stage so we'll look forward to that one."
The Wallabies will jet out of Australia on August 23 for a week in Portugal.
Meanwhile Sharpe, who edged out Wycliff Palu and prop Guy Shepherdson to take home Australian rugby's most prestigious award, said he would likely reflect on the honour at the end of his career.
"It's always hard in a team sport to receive individual recognition. When it is voted on by your peers it does mean a lot," he said.
"At the moment there are a few more important things coming up, obviously the World Cup and what not, but when I look back at my career it is something I will be very proud of."