RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL QUALIFIER Ireland 14 Fiji 30:IRELAND COACH Andy Kelly set his sights on 2013 after his side fell one hurdle short of the World Cup semi-finals. Ireland missed out on a dream meeting with Australia after they were beaten by the multi-talented Fijians in the semi-final qualifier at Gold Coast's Skilled Park yesterday.
The quarter-finalists, in the meantime, hope their achievements will earn a call-up to the Tri-Nations Series. The series is due to be expanded in 2009 with the addition of France but, after the Tricolors finished with the wooden spoon from the 10-team tournament, there are calls for the Irish to be promoted above them.
Asked for his reaction if the French are confirmed as the fourth nation, Kelly said: "I would feel a little put out. I feel we deserve a shot at something that is of a higher profile. There are a few suggestions about the next tournament but we've got nothing definite yet. I would hope something would be put in place quite quickly and it's a viable competition we can all benefit from.
"I understand there is another World Cup possibly in five years and, if we can get regular fixtures, I am sure we can go further than we have this year. I think Ireland's improvement and regular international fixtures would help England as well."
Kelly also believes the introduction of an Ireland club in the English National League would provide a boost not only to the national side but to Ireland's fledgling domestic competition, which produced just four members of his 24-strong World Cup squad.
"I've suggested we need to look at the viability of having a National League side because we need to produce players who can cope with this kind of football," he said.
Ireland went into yesterday's game full of confidence and determination following their shock 34-16 win over Samoa and tackled heroically but they could not match their opponents for flair and skill in attack. Ireland kept alive their dream in a tense first half before being swept aside after the break.
"The spirit we built among the players was there for all to see but we strayed away from what we've done well and that's why we were under so much pressure the whole game," said Kelly. "The spirit wasn't enough but, even in defeat, I'm really proud of the guys. I reckon we must have defended for 70 per cent of the game. We still had the energy to come up with a score at the end."
Fiji twice took the lead through captain Wes Naiqama and winger Akuila Uate but Ireland struck back through Damien Blanch and captain Scott Grix and would have been in front by half-time but for another off day with the boot by Pat Richards, who succeeded with just one of three attempts.
The Wigan winger also missed an interception chance early in the second half before Fiji pulled away with tries from Jayson Bukuya, Jarryd Hayne and Uate, with Naiqama taking his goal tally to five. Ireland had the final say when Blanch took an offload from secondrow Lee Doran to score his fifth try of the tournament.
Fiji coach Joe Dakuitoga, who played for Fiji in the 1995 World Cup, believes the win will enable rugby league to overtake union as the island's major sport. Fiji's pay-TV network executives revealed they ran out of satellite dishes before today's match.
"This game was more important to us to win than Ireland," said Dakuitoga, who played in Super League for Sheffield Eagles in 1996. "Back home everybody is watching us. We have been going 16 years and are a sport that has always been looked down on but, after this World Cup, rugby league is the number one game in Fiji."
The €146,949 windfall now guaranteed to Fiji in prize money would be a huge boost to the bid to firmly establish rugby league on the island, but Dakuitoga revealed the cash would go to the players. "We asked them to come," he said. "There is no money in Fiji rugby league so for them to put their hands up and represent Fiji was a big bonus so all the money will be shared amongst the players."
Fiji captain Wes Naiqama, who plays for Newcastle Knights in Australia, said: "Money was never an issue. We all play the game because we're passionate about the game."
Naiqama, who scored 14 of his side's points against Ireland, insists his side will go into Sunday's semi-final against Australia with confidence. "We're not going into the game with a mindset of losing," he said. "That would be stupid. We know what Australia have got to offer but we're going into the game confident."
The Fijians, who provided Scotland with their first World Cup win in the group stages, will hope for a dramatic improvement on their last meeting with the Kangaroos. The Batis have come a long way since they suffered a 66-8 mauling at Gateshead in 2000.
Kelly rated Fiji higher than Tonga and Samoa, the other teams in his side's pool, and believes Fiji fully deserve their place in the last four.
"They have some great athletes," he said.
"Overall, they were the most enthusiastic, most athletic and probably the more skilful of the three sides and were probably underestimated in the competition . . .
"The way they played tonight, they won't lack any enthusiasm and, if they get the share of the ball they got tonight, they could cause Australia problems. But I rather think Australia will deny them that."
FIJI:Hayne, Tadulala, Naiqama, Millard, Uate, Noilea, Groom, Sadrau, Sukanaveita, Vonomateiratu, Sims, Koroi, Bukuya. Replacements:Storer, Bradley-Qalilawa, Tora, Nauqe.
IRELAND:Platt, Blanch, Gleeson, Littler, Richards, Grix, Finn, O'Carroll, Beswick, Haggerty, Harrison, Doran, Finnigan. Replacements:McIlorum, Fitzpatrick, Corcoran, Tandy.
