Neill said while the time in Australia was enjoyable, it was good to get away from the hype surrounding the team and focus on the task ahead.

"Australia was great to be there with the people, but it was a little bit of a circus if we are being honest, there was a little bit too much to do and a little bit less focus on the football and now that is all behind us we can focus on one thing and that's to try and become a winning team," he said.

Neill, who was part of the 2006 squad captained by Mark Viduka, spoke on his honour of becoming just the third Australian to captain a World Cup side.

"It's the greatest honour you can possibly imagine, the first two walk out on the field, leading a team that's hungry and determined to want to be successful. It's past any dream you can every have and to do it in a great stage against the best in the world is amazing for me," he said.

The players have already hit the training track ahead of their first warm up game on South African soil.

"We're trying to get used to this altitude 1700m above sea level. No-one was shocked to not see a ball come out," said Neill.

"Everyone did really well and it's great to have a fully fit team now to be participating in training and I'm sure there is going to be a lot more focus on the running and fitness side, just to get used to altitude, and then slowly getting used to the ball and the way it moves in the air. Ten days here will make us a very fit team."