George Gregan believes Australia's tough pool at the Rugby World Cup can set them up nicely for the knockout stages of the tournament.
Michael Cheika's Wallabies face England, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay in Pool A at the event, which starts at Twickenham on Friday.
Gregan, a 1999 World Cup winner, said the tough group opponents should be viewed as a chance to find top form before the quarter-finals.
"It’s a tough one, but rather than looking at it as a 'Pool of Death' I see it as a 'Pool of Opportunity' for Australia," he told 7Days.
"Everyone is talking about Wales and England, but Fiji will be a really difficult game as they have some real quality.
"But you get through that pool where you will play some really tough games and it sets you up for when the tournament really starts, which is from the quarter-finals onwards."
Gregan believes Australia can win the tournament if they top Pool A and set up a last-eight clash against Pool B's runners-up, likely Scotland or Samoa.
The 42-year-old also expects France and New Zealand to challenge.
"If they [Australia] top their pool and get through the quarter-finals, then they are certainly on the side of the draw that gives them a good run at the final," he added.
"The team have lacked consistency over the last five or so years, but they can beat anyone on their day.
"France always seem to get things right in the final stages and of course you always expect New Zealand to be there.
"So Australia need that consistency as history has taught us that there will be an upset in the knockout stages and I don’t think it will be any different in England."
The Wallabies start their campaign against Fiji on September 23.