By Sam Ryan

Forget the scrum and the Pocock v Hooper debate, Michael Cheika’s biggest dilemma ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup is goal-kicking, and Bernard Foley’s disappointing day with the boot in Mendoza has only added to that.

Before we look at Australia and their options, let’s have a look at some numbers.

In the semi finals and final of the past three World Cups, just 14 tries have been scored – an average of 1.5 tries per match.

During the knockout stages of the 2003 World Cup, eventual winners England missed just five shots at goal in three matches. In 2007, South Africa missed four shots and in 2011 New Zealand failed on just three occasions.

With this year’s World Cup likely to be one of the closest in history, goal-kicking will most likely be the difference between bringing Bill back to Australian shores or finishing 2015 far earlier then Michael Cheika and his Wallabies would like.

Sure, field position, discipline, defence and the Wallabies performance at the breakdown will all be important factors later this year, however if history is anything to go by their ability or inability to capitalise on penalty opportunities at crucial moments will supersede the previously mentioned issues.

Taking recent form out of consideration, Bernard Foley appears to be the Australian squads most consistent goal kicker. The composure the 25-year-old showed in kicking the Waratahs to the 2014 Super Rugby title is enough to say Foley has the ability to lead Australia at the World Cup, but he’ll need to kick his way back into form sooner rather then later if he’s going to find himself in the Wallabies 23 in the UK.

Quade Cooper and Matt Giteau also looked shaky against the Springboks with Cooper kicking 3/5 and Giteau 1/2. Whilst Tevita Kurindrani’s late try saved both players from further scrutiny, neither head into the Bledisloe Cup full of confidence.

All six players in contention for the Wallabies No.10 and 12 jerseys – Foley, Cooper, Toomua, Giteau, Lealiifano and Beale – are capable goal kickers, but at the moment, no one has stood up and made the role their own.

If a player can kick consistently in the coming weeks, you’d think their spot in the starting XV is almost secured, with a spot on the bench also likely to go to someone that can add value with the kicking tee.

Matt Burke’s famous quote – “kickers win matches, they don’t lose them” – is right, but unless the Wallabies have someone reliable to win matches, it’s hard to see the World Cup heading back to Australia this year.

It could be time to add a few more kicking sessions in the training schedule.