What has given the team great confidence is their exceptional defensive effort against the Springboks last weekend, which was rated by numerous former Wallabies as among the best in the team's history. Their defence held up and saved them, effecting exceptional tackle after exceptional tackle to keep the Boks out.

The Springboks had enough ball to win the game by plenty, but the Wallabies determined defence - including that of Pat McCabe, James Horwill, Will Genia and Adam Ashley-Cooper - gave them no leeway. Wallabies team management said this was a strong sign that their attitude was fixed on winning this tournament after suffering the early jolt of losing to Ireland during the pool stage, which made their course through the finals treacherous. The Wallabies have also remained focused, with no off-field issues - unlike the All Blacks and England, whose tournaments have been marred by player behaviour problems.

Wallabies assistant coach and selector David Nucifora yesterday emphasised how important their Springboks triumph was.

''The players had to stick at it against the Springboks. And it would have only taken one mistake for that game to be lost. That type of discipline and level of concentration gives the team a lot of confidence going into the next big match,'' he said.

''Still they need no reminding of the fact that it is going to go up a number of levels against the All Blacks. It was a great defensive effort last weekend and the work around the contact area was very good. But there were areas in our game, in particular our attack and lineout, which need to improve. I suppose if we take our defensive effort from the weekend, and the first 40 minutes in Brisbane against the Kiwis, we will be getting close to a good performance.''