Rugby World Cup
Wallabies introduce 'pressure' practice to steel nerves of goal-kickers
AAP
September 19, 2015
Australia relaxed ahead of RWC - Ashley-Cooper, Cheika

The Wallabies' renewed focus on goal-kicking will give them an edge in the Rugby World Cup, recently-appointed kicking coach Chris Malone says.

Malone conceded that kicking in general had been a perceived weakness; but no longer after he had refined the players' technique and introduced "pressure kicking" situations at the end of training sessions to simulate the all-important goal kicks at the end of games.

Fly-halves Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper are duelling with centres Matt Giteau and Matt Toomua to kick for the Wallabies, and Malone revealed players were encouraged to sledge, shout and heckle their team-mates during the pressure-cooker kicking scenarios.

"I like people to kick under fatigue so that they're getting game practice as close as we can to the game," Malone said two months after assuming his coaching role.

"The reality is you want them to be able to go out there and not fear failing. You know you've done the work and back yourself."

Bernard Foley
Bernard Foley© Photo by David Rogers - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

Malone said that Australia, as a nation that traditionally opted to play with ball in hand rather than be drawn into kicking duels, hadn't always taken that side of the game as seriously as their northern rivals. But Australia coach Michael Cheika knew the influence of Malone, a Sydney-born No.10 who plied his trade in England for a decade, would be invaluable with the 2015 tournament being played in English conditions.

"My history, particularly in Europe, is people spend hours and hours a week on [kicking]," Malone said. "If we want to be the best in the world, then that part of our game has to be best practised as well. "Cheik knew kicking would be important. Obviously we've got a very good attacking football side and good defensive football side. But having all bases covered particularly in this part of the world is crucial.

"In Australia [kicking practice] is something we've always just done. We've never had a real focus on it; most players have just picked it up along the way."

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