Fiji are motivated by a rare opportunity to play Australia in the semifinals of the Rugby League World Cup when they take on tournament minnows Ireland early Monday morning.

The 'Bati,' or traditional warriors as the Fijians are known, are on the threshold of reaching the last four of the 10-team tournament when they face the Irish Wolfhounds, who knocked the more-fancied Samoans out of semifinal calculations with a 34-16 win in midweek.

The Fijians rested key players and paid the price in an 18-16 loss to Scotland last Wednesday but progressed to the semifinal playoff on a superior points differential.

"We are looking forward to this game, this is a big achievement for the (12-team) Fiji National Rugby League because it has been 16 years since it started, so it is big news," coach Joe Dakuitoga said.

"To be in this stage is a blessing, we've talked about it, and we are ready to give everything we have got left."

The big prize is a match against tournament hot-shots Australia next weekend.

"This is the biggest game for the team at the World Cup so far," team trainer Shane Morris added.

"Fiji doesn't get to play Australia all the time and this is our chance. Not only the local-based players but the (Australian) NRL players who have something to prove."

Ireland and the higher-ranked England travelled on the same flight to Australia, England in business class and the Irish in economy, but it is Ireland who have over-achieved at the tournament.

"It would be outrageous (to face Australia) but there you go. We'd back ourselves against anyone," said prop Wayne Kerr, one of only three players in the squad from the six-team domestic Ireland league.

Now the Wolfhounds have the fancied Fijians blocking their path to an improbable place in the semifinals.

"It's another big set of lads we've got to face. That looks as though it's going to be the story of our World Cup." said Simon Finnigan, the Bradford Bulls and Ireland loose forward.

Coach Dakuitoga said such has been the high excitement back home about Fiji's progress at the World Cup.

"That is how well the boys are playing in this tournament."

Prop Ioane Divavesi will face a judiciary hearing via video conference on tomorrow morning (Fiji time Monday) hours before the playoff against Ireland.

Divavesi has pleaded not guilty to a charge of tripping an opponent in the last match against Scotland and faces a two-match ban.

Dakuitoga said Osea Sadrau, Semisi Tora, Malakai Tuiloa and Josua Koroibulu were ready to take over from Divavesi if he was suspended.

In their previous World Cup meetings, Australia have trounced Fiji 66-0 (1995) and 66-8 (2000).

AFP

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