Wallaby coach backs Ireland to upset the All Blacks

AUSTRALIAN U-21 coach Chris Webb has tipped Ireland to create a World Cup shock here at Hughenden in Glasgow tomorrow. Ireland face the might of holders New Zealand and Webb refuses to dismiss Ireland's challenge.

Hours after watching his own Wallabies humbled 26-13 by Ireland in the semi-final, Webb sent this message to the young men in green: "believe in yourselves."

The aura of invincibility surrounding the All Blacks is obvious. But despite their immense potential, Webb disputes the notion that the title is theirs for merely turning up.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed that we didn't make it to the final. New Zealand have beaten us two years in succession and I honestly felt this was our year. I thought we were good enough to go all the way but Ireland put a stop to that.

"We have no complaints because we were beaten by a better side on the day. The Irish were magnificent, their defence was solid and they gave us a right hammering up front, particularly in the second-half.

"Reputation meant nothing to them. We had seven guys in the team with Super 12 experience, six of them regular starters with the three Australian participants, and we felt that experience should have been enough. But Ireland showed no respect at all for that. They were strong in the pack and impressive out wide. They have genuine pace and strength in the backline and their numbers eight [Jamie Heaslip], nine [Tomas O'Leary] and ten [Gareth Steenson] are capable of controlling games."

Webb did sound some notes of warning as he assessed the All Blacks. "Ireland will have to be rock solid at scrum time. They coped fine against us but New Zealand are stronger again in that department. Ireland have to get their set pieces right to the point of domination because the All Blacks are so strong in the backs.

"These guys, particularly centres Ben Atiga and Luke McAllister, are capable of turning the slightest chance into scores, as South Africa found to their cost in the other semi-final.

"Ireland must go out with a positive attitude. This is a cup final where anything can happen. Although New Zealand have a number of players with Super 12 experience, they won't have come across the type of pressure associated with this before, so I'd give Ireland a sporting chance."

Ireland's back room boys spent hours studying videos of the New Zealand matches over the last two days in a bid to find means of dealing with this huge challenge. But coach Mark McDermott has no doubts about his side's ability to face up to the physical challenge.

"The lads have fronted up to Argentina, France and Australia, all of whom were bigger sides. You can't win games in the video room but you can highlight areas where New Zealand might be vulnerable and every team has weaknesses waiting to be exploited.

"One of the reasons for our win over Australia was the fact that the boys were not afraid or intimidated by the bulk of the opposition. It was more of a challenge to go out and prove that size isn't everything. It's not as if our guys are small either, they're well capable of looking after themselves."

McDermott is pleased with the attitude as Ireland bid for the title.

"I sensed the mood right from the time we beat France to qualify for the last four. These guys were happy to make the semi-finals but not just content to leave it at that. They approached the game with Australia in a very positive mood.

"In the past Irish teams might have been happy to finish gallant losers but that's not the case with this bunch. They were very single minded in their approach on Wednesday and I have no reason to believe anything will change against the Kiwis. They're not there to make up the numbers, not there just to give a good account of themselves. They'll go out to win, and what will be will be."

Ireland were boosted yesterday with the announcement that all players have been given a clean bill of health and the same 22 personnel involved in the semi-final will again line out tomorrow.

IRELAND U-21's A. Finn (Dolphin), R. Lane (UCC), J. Hearty (Blackrock), G. Telfor d (Dungannon), P. McKenzie (Loughborough), G. Steenson (Queens), T. O'Leary (Cork Constitution), J. Wickham (Clontarf), D. Fogarty (Cork Constitution), D. Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins), D. Gannon (Blackrock, captain), S. O'Connor (Cork Constitution), B. O'Connor (Cork Constitution), D. O'Brien (Old Belvedere), J. Heaslip (Dublin University).

Replacements: C. Geoghegan (UCD), K. Doyle (UCD), N. McComb (Dundee), O. Hennessy (Dungannon), R. Shaw (Wasps), M. Glancy (Loughborough), B. O'Donnell (UL Bohs).