Lebanon and Scotland have named their provisional squads as the rugby league World Cup nears. Both nations are set to feature a host of seasoned NRL players.
Lebanon Cedars coach Brad Fittler has named five NRL regulars in his 40-man train-on squad headlined by Rabbitohs hooker Robbie Farah, who last represented the nation in 2002. Joining Farah in the line-up are Eels duo Tim Mannah and Mitchell Moses, Wests Tigers rookie Alex Twal and Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa.
They are joined alongside five domestic players, with Imad Chidiac (Jounieh), Wael Harb, Raymond Sabat (both Lycans), Ali Abou Arabi (Tripoli) and Toufic el Hage (Wolves) all named. The group all appeared in the test against Italy played in Hadath in June, when the Cedars came out 6-4 victors courtesy of a Jeffery Tohme try.
In that match both Sabat and el Hage were particularly impressive, raising their hopes of a potential spot in Fittler’s final 24-man squad with at least one domestic player to be included.
The Cedars qualified for their first World Cup since 2000 having defeated South Africa, and the majority of their squad featured in a 24-4 victory over Malta in Cabramatta back in May. The squad’s familiarity with each other should prove helpful in their campaign which pits them against host nation Australia as well as powerhouses England and France.
The likes of Josh Mansour and Reece Robinson may yet join them with their eligibility still awaiting confirmation.
Brad Fittler spoke following the announcement of his train-on squad saying, “Lebanon’s strong community support will provide the squad with great confidence in the World Cup.
“It is going to be a great occasion for Lebanon rugby league and Lebanon as a country in general.”
Lebanon play a warm-up against Niue at Leichhardt Oval on 14 October and will take on Australia and England in Sydney, with both matches expected to draw large crowds in support of the Cedars.
Lebanon 40-man squad
Ali Abou Arabi (Tripoli RLFC), Danny Barakat (Wentworthville Magpies), Mario Boustani (Blacktown Workers), Ben Chahoud (Hills Bulls), Imad Chidiac (Jounieh RLFC), Jamie Clark (Auburn Warriors), Mark Daoud (Asquith Magpies), Adam Doueihi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), James Elias (West Newcastle), Ahmad Ellaz (Auburn Warriors), Robbie Farah (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Toufic el Hage (Wolves RLFC), Wael Harb (Lycans FC), Bernard Kairouz (Wests Tigers), Kayne Kalache (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Nick Kassis (Blacktown Workers), Andrew Kazzi (Wests Tigers), Anthony Layoun (Parramatta Eels), Michael Lichaa (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Bilal Maarbani (Manly Sea Eagles), Mitchell Mammary (Wentworthville Magpies), Tim Mannah (Parramatta Eels), Josh Mansour* (Penrith Panthers), Raymond Maroun* (Penrith Panthers), Tarek el Masri (Wentworthville Magpies), Abbas Miski (North Sydney Bears), Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Raymond Moujalli (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Reece Robinson* (unattached), Travis Robinson* (Newtown Jets), Chris Saab (Blacktown Workers), Raymond Sabat (Lycans FC), Jaleel Seve Derbas (Wests Tigers), Elias Sukkar (Wentworthville Magpies), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), Jason Wehbe* (unattached), Christian Yassmin (Wests Tigers), Abraham el Zakhem (Auburn Warriors), Elie el Zakhem (Auburn Warriors), Adnan el Zbaidieh (Auburn Warriors)
*awaiting confirmation
(Image: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Steve McCormack’s Scotland Bravehearts squad has been bolstered by the addition of five NRL regulars, with Peter Wallace returning to the fold alongside Euan Aitken, Joe Wardle and Cowboys duo Lachlan Coote and Kane Linnett.
Skipper Danny Brough will bring experience in guiding an experienced forward pack starring the likes of Danny Addy, Dale Ferguson, Ben Hellewell, Ben Kavanagh and Adam Walker.
Of the 24 players in McCormack’s squad for last year’s Four Nations tournament 22 have been named in the initial squad, with only Tyler Cassel and Billy McConnachie missing out.
Scotland have been drawn in the ‘group of death’ against Pacific powerhouses Samoa and Tonga as well as New Zealand, who they drew 18-all in Workington last year.
Scotland provisional squad
Danny Addy (Hull KR), Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons), Ryan Brierley (Toronto Wolfpack), Sam Brooks (Featherstone Rovers), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), Brett Carter (Barrow Raiders), Lewis Clarke (Moore Park Broncos), Lachlan Coote (North Queensland Cowboys), Davie Dixon (Keighley Cougars), Luke Douglas (St Helens), Liam Faughlin (Maitland Pickers), Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants), Ben Hellewell (London Broncos), Liam Hood (Leigh Centurions), Ben Kavanagh (Hull KR), Kane Linnett (North Queensland Cowboys), Frankie Mariano (Featherstone Rovers), Joe McClean (Gloucestershire All Golds), Ryan Maneely (Rochdale Hornets), Kieran Moran (York City Knights), Will Oakes (Hull KR), Brett Phillips (Workington Town), Calum Phillips (Workington Town), Scott Plumridge (Mittagong Lions), Sheldon Powe-Hobbs (Northern Pride), Matthew Russell (Warrington Wolves), David Scott (Batley Bulldogs), Lachlan Stein (Penrith Panthers), Oscar Thomas (London Broncos), Lewis Tierney (Catalans Dragons), Adam Walker (Wakefield Trinity), Alex Walker (London Broncos), Jonathan Walker (Darlington Point Roosters), Peter Wallace (Penrith Panthers), Joe Wardle (Newcastle Knights), Brandan Wilkinson (Bradford Bulls)
In other news for international rugby league, the 2017 Jillaroos Interstate Challenge Merit Team has been named with 19-year-old rookie Jessica Sergis headlining a host of familiar names following New South Wales’ 22-6 win over Queensland.
Jillaroos Merit Team
1. Samantha Bremner, 2. Karina Brown, 3. Isabelle Kelly, 4. Corban McGregor, 5. Jessica Sergis, 6. Caitlin Moran, 7. Maddie Studdon, 8. Ruan Sims, 9. Brittany Breayley, 10. Heather Ballinger, 11. Kezie Apps, 12. Jenni-Sue Hoepper, 13. Simaima Taufa
14. Ali Brigginshaw, 15. Elianna Walton, 16. Lavina Phillips, 17. Vanessa Foliaki
Sergis’ three-try performance puts her in good stead to make her Jillaroos debut ahead of the World Cup in November.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The response was to show you(as you wanted source) there was such a comment made by journalist people in NZ about the 2007 Cup. They referred to the TV figures of the final The point is the vast majority of their viewers are from the 5 major playing countries.That hasn't changed. You don't need rocket science England/NZ/Sth Africa/Australia/France. Japan a one off due too their last WC efforts. False and misleading LOL that was the statement made circa 2007/8 when the RWC report came out.It was in the NZ Herald.I couldn't care less one way or another. I accuse you of no real interest in rl ,as you hate rl with an intensity. Reniforced by your intended negative appearances on rl International threads .
Justin Kearney
Guest
8 years of burst arteries for baz and his alter egos! Hilarious.
Fred
Guest
Crosscoder, Baz will burst an artery when he finds out the 2025 World Cup is being co-hosted by the US and Canada!
Baz
Guest
What if i support the three plus more? Its not illegal to do so it it?
clipper
Guest
... so not the most recent WC and just one off the cuff statement, not hard evidence and you accuse me of false and misleading facts.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
deucer I understand where you are coming from, but you are either not aware or do not realise the guy who comes onto this thread and others,is not here for constructive criticism but to thread jack.He has a history of so doing and constant change of name to do so. Hence the response, and if the mods won't do anything about it, why should he be allowed to just simply carry on unchallenged. There is genuine criticism ,constructive criticism or just plain code sniping.His contributions do not fall into the former two.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Baz/Mat. Check your comments from the very first day you arrived on rl threads,and you wonder why you get the responses you do. Play with fire as the saying goes. You don't offer constructive opinions, you offer agitation,and throw in many unfactual statements in so doing. Plenty of people on rl threads ,criticise and i don;t agree with many of their views, but they provide constructive and realistic criticism, and I respond on very few instances.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Channel 7 Mat/Baz, I'm sure you'll be all eyes and ears,and the BBC will be covering every match in the 2021 RLWC. We have a fair idea of the makeup of the Yank's squad, you have problem with that?And rest assured it's not full of Maoris.Anotherout and out porkie
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The comment was either made from memory by Paul Gregor or Stu Wilson in the NZ Herald about the RWC Final in France 2007.The TV viewing figures were analysed just after the RWC report came out, and he stated of that audience, 93% came from the 5 major rugby playing nations. Then went on to state,on those figures there is a lot more work for rugby to do. That's his view not ours. What has happened since ,is a different horse, but I suggest the majority would still be from those same nations.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
And i love skydiving without a parachute Mat. It is indeed an opinion piece, and my opinion is you are here not to express an opinion but to hijack any thread on rl overseas. or here. You set the standard with your swipes ,so expect similar responses.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Oh Baz/Mat,I'll throw in soccer fan to complete the triad. One thing's for sure you are not a rl fans by a long shot. You have a monster chip on your shoulder, nah more like a pine forest.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
So Baz ,nothing new to report by you, typical.
clipper
Guest
Where's the links for this so called 'fake rugby TV viewing figures'? Are you trying to say that Japan, which is not a usual rugby nation did not have sizable figures, especially when they won against SA? I think Japan alone would've made up 5%
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Those are some advanced thoughts there mushi. They may have flown by the grey matter of some.
mushi
Guest
Isn't that just a more accurate reflection of how our cultural ties work. It's now a widely academically supported view that people identify with more than one community based on heritage and their own movements. Why does sport need to adhere to a concept so outdated it makes the telegraph look like the most recent revolutionary step forward in communications. I believe it was Redford that said he loved sports movies because (paraphrasing) sport was the unscripted glory and struggle of life captured in just a couple of hours. So what good is a sport that bears no resemblance to the lives of the times in which it exists?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The rationale is that it generates more media and sponsorship interest to have reasonably competitive teams in an international tournament rather than blowouts. It may very well be better to use only local players and just accept the thrashings and the odd upset. I can't really disagree with that approach and if taken I would still support it. It's true that league relies more on heritage players but the rules they use are similar to the rules other sports use. After years of neglect international league is playing catch up and is doing reasonably well in it. But heritage players don't negate the reality and existence of the domestic leagues. Nations can't compete or even try and qualify for these tournaments if they do not have these leagues and governing bodies to oversee them. You are arguing that if the glass is half full, one should empty it out so that it matches the empty half of it.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
What bile have I tried to slam down on you Baz?
Baz
Guest
Warrior you wait till the World Cup and the squad the Yanks trott out for it..
Baz
Guest
Crosscoder you dont call names Justin you just cant help yourself. These are opinion articles and those you dont agree on you abuse
Baz
Guest
I love League Crosscoder. There isnt one post of mine saying i hate Rugby League. I go to games every 2nd weekend i just cant stand this bile you, Justin,Riley and Sleiman try slam down us regular supporters throats. Its absolute crap