The Kangaroos and Ireland will meet in Group A of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup at
Thomond Park in Limerick on Sunday November 10 at 7:00am AEDT (Saturday
November 9 at 8:00pm local time).
HEAD TO HEAD: First meeting.
MISSING IN ACTION: Australia's Rugby League World Cup hopes received a huge blow with in-from forward Luke Lewis ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a shoulder injury. Lewis' shoulder popped out in the win over Fiji after he collided with an advertising hording as he attempted to dive on a loose ball in the in-goal. That is the only enforced change coach Tim Sheens will have to make although he is likely to use the clash to rest a host of key stars as well as give other fringe players some match time.
The good news for the Irish is they have no major injury worries for the final group clash. But after two disappointing losses coach Mark Aston will expect more from his side, especially his contingent of NRL stars Brett White James Hasson, Pat Richards Api Pewhairangi and Rory Kostjasyn.
FORM: Australia continued their unbeaten start to the tournament with a convincing 34-2 win over a gallant Fiji in St Helens. The result has all but confirmed Australia will top their group, with a likely quarter-final clash against the USA to look forward to. Sheens would have been pleased to see the way back-up half Daly Cherry-Evans performed, while Greg Inglis looked to get back to his devastating best as he got more involved at fullback.
Ireland slumped to their second straight defeat, with their opening loss to Fiji followed by last weekend's 42-0 drubbing at the hands of England. The Irish were blown away in the opening 40 minutes, with the host nation running in six first-half tries. Unless the men in green can find a bit more hunger and resolve they could be on the end of a similar hiding against the Aussies.
WE THINK: We looked anywhere and everywhere to try and find a reason why the Irish can at least put up some fight against the tournament- favourite Australians. Truth is even though Sheens is likely to chop and change his side again, the Aussies are too big, too strong and to classy for Ireland. It could get ugly. Australia by 38.
MISSING IN ACTION: Australia's Rugby League World Cup hopes received a huge blow with in-from forward Luke Lewis ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a shoulder injury. Lewis' shoulder popped out in the win over Fiji after he collided with an advertising hording as he attempted to dive on a loose ball in the in-goal. That is the only enforced change coach Tim Sheens will have to make although he is likely to use the clash to rest a host of key stars as well as give other fringe players some match time.
The good news for the Irish is they have no major injury worries for the final group clash. But after two disappointing losses coach Mark Aston will expect more from his side, especially his contingent of NRL stars Brett White James Hasson, Pat Richards Api Pewhairangi and Rory Kostjasyn.
FORM: Australia continued their unbeaten start to the tournament with a convincing 34-2 win over a gallant Fiji in St Helens. The result has all but confirmed Australia will top their group, with a likely quarter-final clash against the USA to look forward to. Sheens would have been pleased to see the way back-up half Daly Cherry-Evans performed, while Greg Inglis looked to get back to his devastating best as he got more involved at fullback.
Ireland slumped to their second straight defeat, with their opening loss to Fiji followed by last weekend's 42-0 drubbing at the hands of England. The Irish were blown away in the opening 40 minutes, with the host nation running in six first-half tries. Unless the men in green can find a bit more hunger and resolve they could be on the end of a similar hiding against the Aussies.
WE THINK: We looked anywhere and everywhere to try and find a reason why the Irish can at least put up some fight against the tournament- favourite Australians. Truth is even though Sheens is likely to chop and change his side again, the Aussies are too big, too strong and to classy for Ireland. It could get ugly. Australia by 38.
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