Mendeika takes centre stage

James Mendeika believes Ireland can make the last four of the Rugby League World Cup.

Mark Aston’s side open their campaign against Fiji at Spotland, Rochdale, tonight (8pm) with huge pool matches against England and Australia to come next month.

But centre Mendeika is confident that the Irish can upset the form book.

“The Fiji game is the priority, but we have been preparing our setup in training for our game in general, so we will be in a better position when the Australia and England matches come around.”

IRELAND SQUAD: D Allen, L Ambler, B Beswick, D Blanch, D Bridge, B Currie, L Finn, S Grix, K Haggerty, J Hasson, R Kostjasyn, S Littler, J Mendeika, T McCarthy, A Mullally, E O’Carroll, A Pewhairangi, P Richards, B White.