Mr Critchlow said a technical bulletin was issued to gas engineers more than 18 months before the tragedy instructing them to cut off the base of the grill seal with scissors.

BBC: Flavel cooker

But the fightback was snuffed out five minutes from time by scrum-half Genia, who darted over from the base of a ruck to seal victory.

BBC: Australia 30-13 South Africa

McCain rattled through a number of talking points designed to appeal to his Republican base. iReport.com: Did McCain seal the deal?

CNN: McCain: I work for you

Some in the elite argue that, although Mr Medvedev lacks his own power base, he has the most important resource of all: the seal and signature of the president.

ECONOMIST: Russia's presidency