The Australians are coming, and this time they mean business.

A squad packed full of former internationals, a shortened trip where they will all stay together at Grotto Bay rather than with families as they have done in recent years, and the backing of the Australian Rugby Union all point to one thing – the Wallabies are serious about winning next week's World Rugby Classic.

Still smarting from last year and their part in two of the worst games that have been seen at the event in recent times, which included the truly awful 0-0 draw with France that was eventually decided on penalty kicks, coach Damian Smith has assembled a squad he calls 'the strongest we've ever had'.

"Everything's coming together, and we're looking forward to it," said Smith. "The biggest thing we did this year, we have shortened our trip, but we've attracted the highest standard team we've ever had and it's looking really good."

The backing of the ARU has made a big difference this time around, as has the support of the Classic Wallabies' presidents Simon Poidevin and Jeff Miller. There is also the small matter of Australian pride which needs to be restored at a tournament they have never won.

"After last year we sat down and formed a committee to see how we could improve things," said Smith. "Everyone's worked really well together. We recruited some good guys.

"Obviously we were pretty disappointing last year against the French and Argentina, nothing against the guys that we played but I think our own expectations in Australian rugby . . . we've still got to set some decent standards, and that's why the ARU are involved.

"We've set some standards, some minimum goals and we set a (minimum) standard of (picking) guys who have to have at least played Australian Sevebs, or Super rugby. The higher the quality of player you get, the higher quality the will to win is."

Not that Smith is promising his side are going to win, but they'll give it a good go, and they'll play some stylish rugby in the process. The inclusion of full-backs Garrick Morgan (24 caps) and Matthew Pini (eight, plus 12 with Italy), and four high-profile wings in Damon Murphy, Peter Playford, Nick Reilly, and Brett Stapleton is testament to that.

"We're not turning out some super team at all but we're turning out with a team that just now's probably competitive to deal with those guys (South Africa and New Zealand)," he said. "We probably haven't had that for three or four years at least, or longer. The Kiwis last year were pretty exceptional, and that run of South African teams, everyone has had their run.

"It was pretty disappointing last year, that rubbish (against the French), it was ugly rugby, that's probably what got a group of us altogether, it was just ridiculous. You don't go there for that sort of rugby, and the same with the Argies, they play in the spirit but you've just got to be careful.

"We've been positioning ourselves where we can run the ball and play with a bit of style, I don't want a rolling-maul fest. We've just tried to pick a team that even if we do lose, at least it'll be attractive rugby."

Classic Wallabies: Sean Hardman (Hooke, 4 caps), Nathan Williams (Prop, Australia A), Sam Harris (Lock, New South Wales), Brad Harrison (Lock, New South Wales), Stuart Pinkerton (Backrow, Australia) Mark Connors (Backrow, 20 caps), David Croft (Backrow, 5 caps), Daniel Many (Backrow, 15 caps), Stuart Pinkertson (Backrow, Australia A), Nicholas Gregorski (No 8, Australia 7's), Chris O'Young (Scrumhalf, Australia 7s), Anthony Ekert (Scrumhalf, Australia), Nathan Spooner (Outhalf, 2 caps), Christian Warner (Outhalf, Australia A), Dane Inman (Centre, Barbarians), Luke Inman (Centre, Australia 7s), Troy Jacques (Centre, 2 caps), Peter Jorgenson (Centre, 2 caps), Hugh Perret (Centre, Barbarians), Damon Murphy (Wing, Australia 7s), Peter Playford (Wing, Brumbies), Nick Reilly (Wing, Australia 7s), Brett Stapleton (Wing, Australia A), Garrick Morgan (Fullback, 24 caps), Tim Kelaher (Fullback, 3 caps), Matthew Pini (Fullback, 8 caps, (12 caps Italy)). Coach: Damian Smith (21 caps). Manager: Brad Bishop (Australian 7s manager)