In a sign that Bernard Foley may the frontrunner to start the Rugby World Cup in the Wallabies No.10 jersey, specialist kicking coach Chris Malone has thrown his support behind his former Sydney Uni colleague.

The newly appointed Waratahs assistant coach, who was recruited by Michael Cheika midway through 2015 to help prepare the Wallabies kickers for the World Cup, said he’s been impressed with the progress of Foley and his teammates in recent months.

“In the time that I’ve been intensely with the squad, I would think Bernard has been in the upper 80-90 per cents and is kicking very well,” Malone said

“He’s a confident guy, he know hows he wants to kick, as long as I can help him around a few things with consistency, then I couldn’t be more happy with the work that not only Bernard but all the boys have been doing. At a World Cup in England, it’s going to be pretty important”

During a 10-year career in the UK, Malone became well known for his strong kicking game, both in play and at goal, and is well aware just how important kicking will be at this World Cup.

“The reality is when you look back in history, if Michael Lynagh doesn’t kick a spot on restart against Ireland in the 1991 World Cup (quarter final), Australia don’t get the ball back and they don’t go through.

“There have been moments in World Cups, huge moments that revolve around kicking, so all we are trying to do is to make sure we have our bases covered and the boys are going well,” he added.

Whilst Foley admitted he still didn’t know if he’d start in the Wallabies first World Cup match against Fiji on Thursday morning (AEST), he was full of praise for Malone and the work he has done in recent months.

“It’s something I haven’t had in the past, a specialist kicking coach in all facets of the game, so to have a guy like Nobby (Malone) who has played over here in the Northern Hemisphere, he’s very accustomed to the conditions, to the teams and to the styles that they’ll want to play, so to have that repetition and consistency in our preparation, it’s been very handy.”

Whilst the Wallabies are expected to continue to play an expansive brand of rugby in the UK, Foley admitted it was vital that the side could revert back to a more defensive style if needed.

“We want to have an attacking mindset but in saying that, we want to have a sound kicking base and kicking strategy, (because) that’s going to be needed at some point in this World Cup.”

Although Australia has never had as much mid-field depth heading into a World Cup, Cheika must now settle on combinations, with Foley, Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua and Kurtley Beale all in contention for the Wallabies No.10 and No.12 jerseys.

“As competitors, it’s probably been a really good thing to have that competition and that intensity in all trainings, it’s probably made us a lot more game ready because we’ve always had to compete.

“I suppose as a 10, you do want that consistency in the jersey and you do want to build those combinations with the guys around you, but in saying that, it’s not like we haven’t had time to do that.”

The Wallabies side to play Fiji will be announced early next week ahead of Australia’s opening clash at 1:45am on Thursday morning (AEST).