Mark Aston refuses to admit his Ireland side face an impossible mission in the World Cup, despite facing tournament favourites Australia on Saturday.
The Wolfhounds have lost their two Group A matches to England and Fiji and only a win in Limerick can give them a chance of making the quarter-finals.
Aston is no stranger to huge shocks as he starred in Sheffield’s win over Wigan in the 1998 Challenge Cup final.
“Dream the dream and live it,” Aston said on Friday.
“For the last three weeks we have been dreaming it and now it is time to live it.
“It isn’t all over, people are saying we’re going home on Sunday. We have still got a chance and while there is a chance you have to grasp it and I have told the boys that.
“They have been good this week – they are buzzing, hyper and ready to play and it’s a good time to put a statement out about Irish rugby league.”
For Australia, twins Josh and Brett Morris will play alongside each other for the third time after being named in a 20-man squad for Saturday night’s clash.
Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Sam Thaiday, Brent Tate and Greg Bird have also been recalled to the side after being rested against Fiji.
Australia have stressed they are not taking the Wolfhounds lightly, with assistant coach David Furner highlighting positives he has seen in Ireland’s campaign.
The Irish lost 42-0 to England last week but improved as the game went on and Aston wants to continue that trajectory.
“We are really looking forward to it because it’s a massive challenge for us playing against the world’s best in a great facility,” added Ireland’s coach.
“We are up for it because we feel we have let ourselves down a little bit over recent weeks and want to put it right. We are going to ask the question and see what they dish up for us.
“It is not easy and if we can come out of it loud and proud with the Irish people behind us, we will be happy.”
Ireland squad:
Dave Allen, Luke Ambler, Bob Beswick, Damien Blanch, Ben Currie, Liam Finn, Simon Finnigan, Scott Grix, Matthew Hadden, James Hasson, Rory Kostjasyn, Stuart Littler, Tyrone McCarthy, James Mendeika, Anthony Mullally, Apirana Pewhairangi, Pat Richards, Joshua Toole, Brett White.
Australia squad:
Billy Slater, Jarryd Hayne, Brent Tate, Josh Morris, Brett Morris ,Daly Cherry-Evans, Cooper Cronk ,Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith, James Tamou, Greg Bird, Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles, Boyd Cordner, Robbie Farah, Andrew Fifita , Corey Parker, Josh Papalii, Johnathan Thurston, Michael Jennings.
Article source: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/jennings-leads-a-young-leinster-side-1.1509523
Rugby League World Cup 2013: Ireland seek to shock Australia
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