RUGBY DIGEST:WORLD CUP: Former All Black Jonah Lomu has singled Ireland out as the side that could break the Southern Hemisphere's dominance at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this autumn .

The giant winger, who has scored more World Cup tries (15) than any other player, says Ireland have the experience and the desire to put in a big performance when the tournament rolls around in September.

“If there’s a team that you have to be wary about, and not many people are talking about them, it’s Ireland,” Lomu said while promoting the tournament in the Cook Islands. “Purely because I’ve watched a lot of their teams. I’ve watched Leinster play in the Heineken Cup and they were very impressive, especially up front.”

Lomu added the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell were likely to give everything they’ve got in what will be their last World Cup.

“A lot of those players are coming to the end of their career and they’ll put everything on the line,” he said.

INTERNATIONAL: Australia are prepared for an immense physical challenge, and a test of their strength in depth when they take on Samoa tomorrow (live on Sky Sports 4, 2pm), in their first match of a season they hope will end with a World Cup triumph.

The Wallabies have racked up more than 70 points in both of their previous Tests against Samoa in Sydney but coach Robbie Deans said he was expecting a much tough test in the warm-up for next week’s Tri-Nations opener against South Africa.

WORLD CUP: The Wallabies squad will take home €84,000 a man if they win the World Cup but no bonus at all if they fail to reach the final in New Zealand. The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said the players had agreed to reduce match fees in order to maximise their bonus.

WORLD CUP: England's plans to wear a jet-black strip at this years World Cup has created quite a stir in host country New Zealand, where one commentator called it a mockery of traditions and a ploy to push shirt sales.