The World's Cup: Self-belief 'key factor' for Australia

A controversial penalty ruling handed the Wallabies victory over Scotland. Photo / Getty Images

Steve Deane scours global media for an offbeat look at rugby's biggest show.

SOLID FOUNDATIONS

"Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis has drawn on IndyCar psy¬chologists and the two drummers 'in sync' style of American heavy metal band The Melvins as he prepares to face New Zealand in the World Cup semifinal at Twickenham," reports Britain's Telegraph. This column read that sentence three times in an attempt to make sense of it, without much joy. Turns out du Plessis - who is a bit of clever bugger in the Anton Oliver mould - was banging on about race car drivers talking themselves out of smashing into walls and some obscure metal band he doesn't actually listen to.
"A friend of mine told me about The Melvins - not my type of music, it would scare your kids - but they lay a good foundation for the band by using two drummers at the same time. It is about what works for you, about being in sync and laying good foundations."

HE BELIEVES

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is intent on convincing his team it really does deserve to be in the semifinals after World Rugby indicated otherwise by throwing referee Crig Joubert under the bus over his controversial penalty ruling that handed the Wallabies victory over Scotland.

"The biggest hurdle for us is to believe that we actually deserve to go on and do something," Cheika told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I think that self-belief is a key factor for us now to go on. Because maybe at this stage we still don't believe enough."
Cheika poo-pooed the idea the Wallabies were lucky to be in the semis.

"I don't feel fortunate at all. In the game we merited the win, we scored five tries in a quarter-final of the World Cup," he said.

BAJADA, BABY

Belfast's Telegraph came up with an interesting snippet when trying to answer the vexing question: how come Argentina are good? Alongside the usual reasons - playing with the big boys in the Rugby Championship and coaching consultant Graham Henry's influence - they cited an unorthodox scrum technique known as "The Bajada". Dr Francisco Ocampo pioneered the technique back in the 1960s in Argentina. "His twin loves of physics and scrummaging combined to devastating effect to create the "Bajada", Argentina's classic set-piece counter-drive.

"The locks bind round the props' hips with their outside arms, rather than through the legs as standard. Pinning the props inwards towards the hooker, all the power shoots through the centre of the front-row."

DEDICATION

Bryan Habana has dedicated South Africa's World Cup semifinal against the All Blacks to murdered teacher Zukisa Kela, whose last words to his principal were reportedly 'Go Springboks Go' before he was drowned by a gang, reports the Daily Mail.

Habana paid tribute to 25-year-old rugby coach and social sciences teacher, who was tied up and thrown into a lake in Johannesburg by a group of 12.

"To Zukisa Kela and his family after the tragedy that happened in South Africa, our thoughts and prayers are with you," said Habana.

"He was tragically drowned in South Africa, and on drowning his last words were 'Viva maBokoboko viva', which is 'Go Springboks go'.

"That passion and fire that he showed for South Africa, on his last moment, was pretty special."

GAME OVER

The quarter-final thrashing spelled the end of the road for a couple of quality French veterans, with fly-half Frédéric Michalak and Pascal Pape announcing their retirements. "It's a sad end but my body can't respond anymore," said Michalak, who left the pitch with a thigh injury after having a kick charged down to concede the first All Blacks try after just 11 minutes at the Millennium Stadium.

Captain Thierry Dusautoir, the 2011 world player of the year, has not revealed whether he too plans to quit the international game.