Michael Cheika has claimed that an improved mood in the squad means that Australia are full of confidence ahead of the World Cup.

Since losing to eventual winners New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2011 tournament, Australia have had three different coaches and often struggled to produce their best form.

However, Cheika claims that the players could not be happier as they look to repeat the success they enjoyed in England 16 years ago.

"As a coach you make a long-term plan of where you want to be, but you've also got to knock off the short-term goals to get the side up and enjoying it as well. That's a big thing," the Wallabies coach told reporters.

"The smile had gone off a lot of the faces of the people involved on both sides of the paddock, inside and outside."

Australia meet Fiji in their Pool A opener in Cardiff next Wednesday.