All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick believes Australia could fail to escape the Rugby World Cup's pool of death as the threat from the Northern Hemisphere teams grow.
The former New Zealand skipper told Wales Online that he favoured England and Wales to emerge from Pool A at the tournament later this year.
"On current form I'd say England and Wales, but you can never write Australia off at RWC time," he said.
"The southern hemisphere teams are traditionally the favourites; there's no reason to suggest that they won't be again."
Pool A consists of Wales, hosts England, twice-winners Australia, Fiji and Uruguay, with only the top two finishers from each pool advancing to the quarter-finals.
England are the only Northern Hemisphere team to lift the Webb Ellis trophy back in 2003.
Fitzpatrick said England, Wales, Ireland and France could all be potential winners, but defending champions New Zealand and South Africa are slight favourites five months out from the World Cup.
The All Blacks are in Pool C and will face Argentina, Georgia, Namibia and Tonga.
