Ready to go: Lebanon close to rugby league renaissance

Later on this evening, South Africa and Lebanon will face off for the second match of a two-Test series in their attempts to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup in 2017.

With their 40-12 defeat of South Africa in the first Test, Lebanon are in the box seat to stage a historic comeback onto the world stage.

Last contesting the World Cup in 2000, the Lebanese have had an emotional rollercoaster in the ensuing years, losing out on points differential in their last two qualifying campaigns as well as having their domestic league suffer due to regional instabilities affecting the country.

Taking time out of his busy schedule helping the team prepare for their match in Bakpan, South Africa, director of international chapters Michael Hedwan shared some thoughts about the Lebanese campaign.

Sleiman Azizi: Lebanon has the dubious distinction of being the only team to have lost only a single match over two qualifying campaigns yet still not qualify. How does that sit with the players and everyone else involved?

Hedwan: They were tough times, very emotionally draining. But you know, everyone involved from trainers, management to players are aware of the history of the qualifications and are focused on the job at hand. A lot of the current players were part of the last qualifying campaign and have tasted the bitter feeling of the result, and are focused on propelling Lebanon back on the world stage

Azizi: Could you expand a little on how you selected the domestic players from the Lebanese league for the squad? What difficulties have you found in sourcing domestic talent?

Hedwan: Back in March this year a coaching staff member Tarek Houchar and myself travelled to Beirut to run a training program where with the assistance of the staff in Beirut identified potential players.

In July this year I was again in Lebanon and went to a trial game which was videotaped which I took back to Australia where head coach Darren Maroon reviewed the footage and selected from there. There was no difficulty in sourcing domestic talent as there are plenty of quality locals playing in the domestic competition.

Aziz: The bulk of the squad are heritage players but a fifth are from the league in Lebanon. How have they settled in with the heritage players?

Hedman: They have got along great. A couple of the boys know the heritage players from past fixtures, Raymond Finan played against Canada in Toronto in 2012, Wael Harb came to Australia to play in this year’s Test match against Malta and Robin Hachache played in the Canada fixture in 2012 and was part of the 2011 World cup qualifying campaign

Azizi: Flying players and staff from Australia and Lebanon all the way to South Africa and have them stay for a few weeks isn’t cheap. What can you say about the support behind the campaign? Have the LRLF, RLEF or RLIF been able to help or is it all private sponsorship and support?

Hedman: We’ve had valuable help from the RLEF and the LRLF as well as the assistance of private sponsorship from both Lebanon and Australia. Also the staff have given up their time to prepare the team which takes a lot of the financial pressure off the whole process.

Azizi: Lebanon looked quite structured in the first Test but appeared disjointed in the first quarter after the break. Was there any concern that they would let South Africa back into the match, especially with one of your boys sin binned?

Hedman: The boys struggled a bit in patches which I think came down to acclimatising to the conditions and the fact that the players had not played a game for six weeks. They know where they struggled and know what they need to do to fix it.

There is always a concern that a team can come back into a match and especially with the fact that we were playing in their backyard, it was a concern that they would lift but in the end the boys came through so so far so good.

Azizi: South Africa bid to host the 2017 World Cup so I would imagine that they have been quite professional in hosting you. Is there anything that stands out for you and that perhaps the LRLF could take on board?

Hedman: The South Africans have been fantastic in their hosting. Very professional. The High Performance centre in Pretoria is a first class facility and they’ve been very accommodating.

The South African RL staff and management have also been very accommodating and friendly. The Lebanese are traditionally a welcoming community so there isn’t really anything extra to take on board. More like a reminder of the benefits of doing something with passion.

Azizi: It will take a pretty big effort from South Africa to bounce back from their loss and qualify. What are you doing to avoid complacency within the team?

Hedman: The coach has been drilling that into the team, that there is a lot at stake by letting our guard down. The boys have been going through the same routine as they have from the start so we anticipate they will go into the match as if it was 0-0.

Azizi: Who should we watch out for in Lebanon?

Hedman: Haha, the lot of them, they are all ready to go! If I had to narrow it down I would say the forwards. They are aware that the South Africans are big and tough in the middle and it is critical they be contained to limit the options of their halves.

Azizi: Any last words?

Hedman: Lebanon has been given a challenge of playing a team in their own backyard to create history in making their second World Cup. The squad is focused on making their fellow countrymen and flag proud when running out in front of the world to take on the best in the world.

Also, I’d like to thank everyone involved so far, from the players and management, to sponsors. media and supporters. It’s not done yet but we are hoping to make you all very proud.