AAP | 06/11/08 | 0
Having secured a World Cup semi-final qualifier berth, Ireland coach Andy Kelly fears his side may have lost one its greatest weapons - underdog status.
The Wolfhounds set up a clash with Fiji on the Gold Coast on Monday night courtesy of a massive 34-16 upset victory over the more fancied Samoa at Parramatta Stadium last night, Ireland hoping to remain the scourge of the South Pacific nations.
Comprised chiefly of players born in England with a smattering of Irish and Australians - including former Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards who scored 22 points last night - the Wolfhounds have surpassed pre-tournament expectations by winning their pool.
"We've worn the underdog mantle quite well and I'd be quite happy to go into the next game with that," Kelly said.
"But I don't think we're going to get that.
"We'll probably be a little more even to Fiji. We don't control what people think and what people forecast, we just control what we put on the field."
The unexpected win lifted Ireland above both Samoa and Tonga on points differential.
Most betting institutions today listed Ireland at triple digit odds to win the 10-team tournament while Fiji, who topped their pool by beating France and Scotland, were only marginally better.
Kelly said playing Tonga and Samoa represented good preparation for tackling Fiji, though he emphasised next Monday's opponent had their own idiosyncracies.
"We will obviously have a similar approach to the physical side of the game that we had against Tonga and Samoa," Kelly said.
"The Fijians are again good athletes, big and strong and they are quite renowned for moving the ball around, which I think probably makes them a little bit different to Samoa and Tonga."
While both teams only have four days rest before their encounter at Skilled Stadium, Fiji will be playing their third game in nine days, while Ireland had over a week to recover from their 22-20 loss to Tonga.
Reaching the last four with a victory on Monday would represent a new level of achievement for Ireland, which made the quarter-finals at their only previous World Cup appearance eight years ago.
The upset win over Samoa immediately generated increased interest back home.
"Over the last 12 hours we've had local radio stations in Ireland ringing us and the press are now starting to pick up on the side," Kelly said.
"We have never got to the semi-finals of a major international competition."
While out-scoring Samoa five tries to three, Ireland won plenty of admirers for the desperate last ditch defence.
Kelly agreed his team had thrived on their collective passion, spirit and camaraderie.
"Our motto is `there is no strength without unity' and we've got that in Gaelic, a lot of guys have had that tattooed on their arms and legs, so they've bought into that."
Kelly said the squad had a good evening back at their hotel after the famous victory, but emphasised they could still improve on that effort.
Ireland's only real injury worry was a shoulder knock to prop Gareth Haggerty.
We've worn the underdog mantle quite well and I'd be quite happy to go into the next game with that
Andy Kelly, Ireland coach
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