It is safe to say Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is an absolute genius.  The Wallabies started the 2015 season ranked sixth in the world – SIXTH!  Now only a matter of months later – they are playing off against the mighty All Blacks in the World Cup Final. 

Cheika has brought a number of different techniques to the table to help unify a squad that had been experiencing plenty of issues in recent years. 

One of his methods displayed during this World Cup has been cranking the tunes at Wallabies training- in particular Aussie legends ACDC. 

Looks like the @acdc influence from Captain’s Run is rubbing off – now pumping for warm-up! # StrongerAsOnepic.twitter.com/k8cGdEt21j — Wallabies (@Wallabies) October 25, 2015

So we’re going to take a leaf out of the Michael Cheika book and bring you the Top Ten World Cup Final Rugby Pump-up Songs. 

Enjoy. 

10.  White Stripes – Seven Nation Army

Okay – we admit Jack and Meg White probably didn’t have Rugby or sport in their heads when they penned this tune back in ‘03.  But as soon as the bass-line of this one kicks in you can be guaranteed that any crowd will be up and about. 



9.  Darude – Sandstorm

When you saw this list you probably didn’t expect to see any Finnish trance – well you were wrong! 

8.  Hatebreed – Perseverance

It’s half-time and your team is getting flogged.  The coach needs to pull out something special to get the team over the line in the second half.  This belter of a tune is that something.  The team will be ready to eat broken glass after they hear this. 

7.  2Pac – Hit ’em Up

This effort from 2Pac is one of the greatest diss songs of all time.  Pac’s lyrics about ermm….”spending quality time” with arch nemesis Notorious BIG’s wife caused one heck of a sh@# storm when it was released. 

This was 2Pac’s declaration of war, it’s exactly the song the Wallabies want to be listening to before they go out and smash the All Blacks. 

6.  Queen – We will Rock You

Whilst Queen’s We Are The Champions is excellent after you’ve won the game – it’s not really much good as a pump up song. ( Unless maybe your name is Floyd Mayweather). 

But fear not – because We Will Rock You is absolutely perfect. 

5.  ACDC – Thunderstruck

An Aussie classic – as mentioned earlier Cheika has had this one on loop at Wallabies training – for good reason! 

4.  Guns n Roses – Welcome To The Jungle

What a belter this one is.  It’s a good one for the Wallabies to crank after the All Blacks do their Haka. 

3.  Eminem – Lose Yourself (aka Mom’s Spaghetti)

Nothing more inspiring than this one from The Real Slim Shady himself Em. “ Would you capture this moment or would you let it slip?”  The Wallabies won’t be letting this one slip! 

2.  Pantera – Cowboys From Hell

Pantera were a harder and better version of Guns n Roses. Less hair-spray and more Jack Daniels. ( Yes we are anticipating hate mail for this comment) This song could easily be our number one.  Nothing says we’re going to kick some World Cup Final ass like the lyric “We’re taking over this town”.  RIP Dimebag Darrell. 

1.  Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger

The BeyondTheGame. TV team has spent months coming up with this Top 10 Rugby Pump-Up Songs list.  There have been countless arguments and even a staff member thrown through a window whilst ‘discussing’ what should be number one. 

After much debate there was no beating this cut from the Rocky III Soundtrack. 

There is no doubt this is the cheesiest pump up song – but it is also the greatest. 

The three power chords – and vocals about “rising up” have stood the test of time – and make anyone that listens to the song feel like they could win a fight against Liam Neeson. 

Crappy Trivia: The bloke who sung this song Dave Bickler now voices Bud Light TV and Radio Commercials. 



by Michael T. Lynch – contributor