Professional rugby will fill the Australian sporting calendar from February to October, kicking off with the Super 14 next Friday, 2 February, and culminating with the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup campaign in France.

Australian Rugby's new 'Get Onside' campaign is a call to arms that aims to inspire all Australians to get involved in rugby in 2007, and to also get behind the Wallabies on their road to France and the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The centre-piece of the campaign is a new television commercial, shot in the rural South-East Queensland town of Allora and features the local community alongside Wallabies and Super 14 stars.

ARU Managing Director and CEO Gary Flowers, Wallabies Coach John Connolly and Australia's best known modern general, General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC (Retired) were joined by Reds scrum-half Sam Cordingley, Brumbies flank Daniel Heenan, Western Force back Lachlan MacKay and Waratahs captain Phil Waugh for the launch.

General Cosgrove, a passionate rugby supporter, took the honour of unveiling the official Wallabies 'Road to France' Countdown Clock that will count down the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the kick off of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

"Australians just love their men and women in green and gold and wherever they play, they're behind them 100 percent," General Cosgrove said.

"Over the years I've watched many Australians support rugby in many parts of the world and I'm looking forward to everyone here at home getting onside and getting behind rugby and the Wallabies in this great year."

Flowers said that there were many ways Australians of all ages could get behind rugby and get onside in 2007.

"Whether it's getting together with your mates to watch a rugby match, signing up as a player or volunteer with your local rugby club, or getting behind our national team, the Wallabies, for the Rugby World Cup, there are many ways Australians can get onside and enjoy rugby," Flowers said.

"Kicking off with the Super 14 next week, there is a professional rugby match practically every weekend until the Rugby World Cup Final.

"There are plenty of opportunities for people of all ages around Australia to be part of this massive year and the fun and unique experiences rugby offers."

Wallabies Coach John Connolly said that the 2007 season would provide a number of challenges for the players and a full year of entertainment for rugby supporters.

"This year is one of the biggest and most important years that Australian Rugby has ever embarked upon," Connolly said.

"It's going to be a very challenging year for the Wallabies as we build towards the World Cup in October and it is also a very exciting year for supporters with so much rugby to follow."