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London - Australia's Matt Giteau believes England's stunning victory over the Wallabies has put Martin Johnson's men "right up there" with the sides that can win next year's World Cup in New Zealand.
Giteau returns to Twickenham, where England beat Australia 35-18 earlier this month, on Saturday when he will captain the Barbarians from flyhalf against world champions South Africa.
England played a brand of rugby many thought was beyond them against Australia, with wing Chris Ashton sprinting virtually the length of the field from an attack that started on the hosts' try-line to score one of the greatest tries ever seen at Twickenham.
"They outplayed us," Giteau recalled here on Tuesday. "We weren't ready for the style of football that they played. That caught us off guard.
"It was one of those days. Hopefully next time we will be better prepared."
During the England match Giteau was deployed at inside centre but, after what was Australia's only defeat of a tour that started with a win over Tri-Nations champions New Zealand in Hong Kong, he lost his place in the starting side to Berrick Barnes.
It was the first time in five years he'd been dropped but Giteau, who played in the Australia teams beaten by England in the final and quarter-finals of the 2003 and 2007 World Cups respectively, is still aiming to feature in next year's showpiece in New Zealand.
And even though England lost to both New Zealand and South Africa this month, Giteau said they were in with a chance of winning a second global title.
"You've got to put England right up there," the 28-year-old added. "It would be stupid for us not to think they have a huge chance after the way they played against us.
"You could pick five or six sides and if they won the World Cup you wouldn't be too shocked. New Zealand are the benchmark and ahead of everyone and Australia are firing for that number two spot at the moment.
"To win the World Cup is the ultimate goal. That's my focus," insisted Giteau, capped 91 times by Australia.
But his immediate attention is helping a Barbarians side featuring six Wallabies and five All Blacks beat the Springboks, who last weekend overpowered England 21-11 at Twickenham.
"We have to be prepared for that," said Giteua. "I think this week they (the Springboks) will come with the right attitude and throw the ball around a bit."
