Rugby League World Cup 2013: Ireland ready for Fiji opener

Ireland coach Mark Aston says his side are raring to go ahead of their opening World Cup game against a “big and strong” Fiji outfit in Rochdale.

The Wolfhounds face Fiji in their first match before games against Group A rivals Australia and England.

Coach Mark Aston has selected a side that combines youth with Super League and NRL experience.

“It’s exciting with a lot of new faces and people with exciting things to bring into the squad,” said Aston.

Up-and-coming stars such as Parramatta Eels half-back Api Pewhairangi, the New Zealand-born 21-year-old who qualifies for Ireland through his mother, and former Warrington Wolves centre James Mendeika will start against the seventh-ranked Fijians.

“To have a few players from a tiny Pacific nation come thousands of kilometres away to ply their trade makes us feel very proud”

Petero Civoniceva
Fiji captain

Read how Rochdale took Fiji to its heart

But alongside the inexperienced youngsters, Aston can also call on four-time NRL Grand Finalist Brett White, Wigan’s Super League Grand Final winner Pat Richards and Catalan Dragons winger Damien Blanch.

Aston, whose Ireland team are two places below Fiji at ninth in the world rankings, feels that experience will be vital against their Fijian counterparts as they looks to go one better than their last-eight finish of five years ago.

“They’re big, strong and quick and have some outstanding outside backs who have played in the NRL,” he said.

“They’ll be big and strong up front and quick out back so we’ve got to be good. We’ve got a game plan and we’ve got to stick to that.”

Fiji are playing in their fourth World Cup, having reached the semi-finals in 2008, and much like England, will be boosted by the inclusion of three brothers – Ashton, Korbin and Tariq Sims.

The side will be captained by 37-year-old Fijian-born Petero Civoniceva, who has 45 Test caps for Australia.

And the veteran prop will feel at home in Rochdale, with

the north west town having the biggest Fijian community

in England outside of London.

“It’s something that the players have been very humbled by – the Fijian connection to Rochdale,” said Civoniceva.

“To have a few players from a tiny Pacific nation come thousands of kilometres away to ply their trade makes us feel very proud.

“Hopefully we can keep that proud link to Rochdale going and put in a good show against Ireland.”

Ireland (from):


Dave Allen, Luke Ambler, Bob Beswick, Damien Blanch, Danny Bridge, Ben Currie, Liam Finn, Scott Grix, Kurt Haggerty, James Hasson, Rory Kostjasyn, Stuart Littler, James Mendeika, Tyrone McCarthy, Anthony Mullally, Eamon O’Carroll, Apirana Pewhairangi, Pat Richards, Brett White

Fiji (from):


Jayson Bukuya, Petero Civoniceva, Kane Evans, Aaron Groom, Marika Koroibete, Apisai Koroisau, Daryl Millard, Kevin Naiqama, Waisale Ligani Naiqama, Alipate Noilea, Vitale Junior Roqica, Ashton Sims, Korbin Sims, Tariq Sims, James Storer, Akuila Uate, Elani Vunakece, Sisa Ledua Waqa, Semi Radradra Turagasoli Waqavatu

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Rochdale Fijians excited about World Cup

Article source: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/rugby-player-in-deportation-battle-is-freed-from-detention.22461234

Rugby League World Cup 2013: Ireland ready for Fiji opener