Ireland coach Andy Kelly insists his side will not shirk the challenge as they launch their World Cup campaign against Tonga tomorrow.
The Wolfhounds are considered the outsiders in Pool Three as they come up against Tonga and Samoa sides both boasting considerable Super League and NRL experience.
But Ireland, with 10 Super League players in their line-up for their opener in Parramatta, are ready for action.
'There's a formidable look about this group but it's a challenge we've known about for some time now and we're looking forward to it,' Kelly said.
'Tonga and Samoa are both big physical sides, but to reach the semi-finals they'll have to beat us.
'There will be a big green wall there waiting for them. We think we've got the players and the gameplan to beat both those sides.'
Kelly has left out Irish born-duo Wayne Kerr and Ged Corcoran for the match while captain Scott Grix will fill in at stand-off in the absence of the injured Graham Holroyd.
'It's disappointing for Wayne and Ged to miss out after being included in the 19-man squad on Friday but the fact they were selected shows they're not far away,' said Kelly.
Tonga are yet to name their side as they await a ruling from the New South Wales supreme court of the eligibility of forwards Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki.
The International Federation refused to register the NRL pair for Tonga because they played for New Zealand last year.
Under present rules, players are only permitted to change their allegiance once in a two-year period.
Should they be included, Ireland's task will become all the harder but Kelly is determined to prove the doubters wrong.
'We've been written off by most people over here,' he said. 'No-one considers us having a chance of making the semi-final play-off, let alone the semi-finals themselves.
'But I think that will only serve to spur the guys on. As I've said from day one, we're not here to clown around, we're here to perform and our aim is to make it through to the final four.'
IRELAND XIII to face Tonga, Parramatta Stadium, Monday, 26 October, 7.55am: M Platt (Bradford); D Blanch (Wakefield), S Gleeson (Wakefield), S Littler (Salford), P Richards (Wigan); S Grix (Wakefield, capt), K Fitzpatrick (Salford); E O'Carroll (Wigan), B Beswick (Widnes), R Tandy (Wests Tigers), B Harrison (Warrington), L Doran (Leigh), S Finnigan (Bradford).
Subs: M McIlorum (Wigan), L Finn (Dewsbury), G Haggerty (Harlequins), M Cassidy (Barrow).
