One of the stories of this tournament will no doubt be the journey of the Cedars, who have qualified for just their second World Cup appearance and this time will be fielding a team that includes some of the NRL’s biggest names under the guidance of head coach Brad Fittler.
Lebanon Cedars
- RLIF World Ranking: 21
- Best result: Qualified for 2000 tournament; however, are yet to win a match
- 2013 finish: Did not qualify
- 2017 RLWC odds: $251
Rugby league in Lebanon was established by Australians with Lebanese heritage who fell so in love with the greatest game of all that they decided to undertake the effort to spread the sport across their homeland. In 1998 the Cedars played their first ever international against Japan in Tokyo, which resulted in a 52-28 win.
That victory against Japan saw Lebanon being invited to take part in the World Cup qualifying process for the 2000 edition of the tournament. They not only took part in the qualification process, they defeated opponents such as Italy and USA to qualify for the World Cup, which was a historic moment for the game. They failed to progress from the group stage, but they did manage to gain a point from a 22-all draw against the Cook Islands.
Their World Cup appearance certainly gave the Lebanese Rugby League Federation optimism for the future. Administrators organised a Mediterranean Cup, which provided Lebanon with success across multiple victories over French sides. The growth in the game could be seen at the local level, evidenced by a crowd surplus of 20,000 that witnessed a match against in Italy later that decade.
Since 2000 the World Cup qualifying process could only be described as cruel to the Cedars. Lebanon went through the 2008 campaign undefeated; however, they missed out on qualification through for and against after playing two draws against Ireland. This meant going through the repechage process in which they battled for the final spot in the tournament against Samoa, unfortunately ending in defeat.
After a five year wait for the next tournament they went through the qualifying process yet again without a loss, gaining strong victories over Serbia and Russia. What could only have felt like deja vu, Lebanon’s final match against Italy resulted in a 19-all draw which incredibly meant that they had missed out on qualification through points differential once again.
Fast forward to 2015 and Lebanon yet again went through the qualifying phase undefeated. However, this time they gained entry as the Middle East-Africa qualifier. A second appearance at the game’s biggest stage would seem a success; however, the group representing Lebanon in 2017 have aimed to make a bigger impression.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Likely team line-up
1. Reece Robinson
2. Anthony Layoun
3. James Elias
4. Danny Barakat
5. Travis Robinson
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Robbie Farah (c)
8. Tim Mannah
9. Michael Lichaa
10. Andrew Kazi
11. Ahmad Ellaz
12. Chris Saab
13. Nick Kassis
14. Jamie Clark
15. Elias Sukkar
16. Alex Twal
17. Mitchell Mamary
Squad Members: Ray Sabat, Bilal Maarbani, Abbas Miski, Adam Doueihi, Jason Wehbe, Charbel Elia, Jaleel Seve-Derbas.
Brad Fittler has named a team predominately made up of players from New South Wales and Queensland cup sides; however, there are a handful of NRL superstars in the mix. The spine of the side is one of quality that could produce some really exciting football given the right platform by the supporting cast.
Key player
The player to watch for Lebanon is their star five-eighth, Mitchell Moses. He made a lot of headlines earlier this NRL season when he transferred from the Wests Tigers to the Parramatta Eels a quarter of the way through 2017. The move turned out to be a successful one, with Moses finding his best form upon arriving at the Eels, assisting them to a finals berth where he got his first taste of September. This will be Mitchell’s first foray into the highest arena of the game and it will be exciting to see what he can bring to the table for the Cedars.
Fixtures and opponents
France at Canberra Stadium, Canberra – Sunday, 29 November, at 3pm AEDT
England at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney – Saturday, 4 November, at 8pm AEDT
Australia at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney – Saturday, 11 November, 8pm AEDT
Key match
Lebanon will open their campaign against the French, and that game is their most important in this World Cup. The Cedars have a very good history against France, with a 3-1 record in their favour during clashes in the Mediterranean Cup. However, the Chanticleers did field second-string line-ups during those fixtures. Having been placed in Group A, this match will essentially determine which team advances to the quarter-finals. A win here would be historic.
RLWC 2017 prospects
In just their second appearance at an RLWC, advancing from the pool stage would be a significant achievement for Lebanon. They would also have to win their first ever World Cup game in order to progress through the pool. Their clash against the French will be a must-see fixture, and if the NRL stars can conjure up something special, it may equate to Lebanon taking part in a World Cup quarter-final, which would be a major achievement for everyone involved with Lebanese rugby league.
Benji
Guest
All other World cups seed the countries into groups so there are strong and weak teams in each group. So 2 teams in the weakest 6 teams will get armchair ride whilst the weakest team in the two heavyweight groups will miss out yet maybe a better team.
Eamad Tamer
Roar Rookie
Hey, just wanting to know why Reece Robinson was not selected in the final 17 for Lebanon? Also Josh Mansour wasn’t selected for the Australian 17, please let me know thanks. My opinion on Mansour is that he showed no loyality to a team which gave him his first chance at representive football by selecting him. Why did he back flip on Lebanon to play for Australia? I like how Robbie Farah stated that even if he was called up to play for Australia he would’ve opted to play for Lebanon.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
No, I didn't say it makes it unfair. And most teams are strengthened by NRL (and Super League) players because that is where all the best players will be found playing. And I suppose nothing in this tournament is out of the question. But then, I'm pretty good at sniping too.
Benji
Guest
Renegade Sleiman was able to say what you couldn't - 3 out of 4 go thru in the heavies and yet 1 out of 3 in the minnows go thru in the other makes it lopsided and unfair so obviously there is a gulf in class. Lebanon will be strengthened by NRL players so they'll be OK. Robinson qualifies for lebanon because his father lived there for 20 years - I hope he has some heritage because that would be a poor criteria to qualify although in this tournament it appears nothing is out of the question...
Benji
Guest
Renegade Sleiman was able to say what you couldn't - 3 out of 4 go thru in the heavies and yet 1 out of 3 in the minnows go thru in the other makes it lopsided and unfair so obviously there is a gulf in class. Lebanon will be strengthened by NRL players so they'll be OK. Robinson qualifies for lebanon because his father lived there for 20 years - I hope he has some heritage because that would be a poor criteria to qualify although in this tournament it appears nothing is out of the question...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Benji, 14 teams, I think, was to minimise the supposed damage that too many blowouts might do to the code's image. Groups A & B are obviously the strongest groups hence the top three in each one going through. Groups C & D are the weaker ones with only 3 teams in each and therefore only the group winner goes through to make the final 8. No conspiracy. But with the updated eligbility rules, I think it's fair to say that 16 teams is a good idea. That, plus more teams coming through internationally makes a 16 team tournament a tad more feasible.
Renegade
Roar Guru
All of those answers are in the comments above. Expansion to 16 teams in 2021 14 team format was decided for 2013 and 2017.... the qualification works as is with two 2 super pools. No, Lebanon aren't the sacrificial duck because they've beaten France in matches already.... and who would you consider the sacrificial duck in Group B? New Zealand? I don't know what you're missing.
Benji
Guest
I am still waiting for a reply on why not 16 teams? If they aren't heavy weights in the 2 groups - is lebanon the sacrifical duck for the 3 big guys to ensure they get thru - why are there 3 from 2 groups of 4 and 1 from 3 for the other 2 groups...
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lebanon are the lowest ranked side in this World Cup and have been pooled with Australia.... I don't think the heavyweights have been grouped together just to avoid blow outs. Fiji have made the semis in the last two world cups and are in Pool D... not a side you would call minnows. I think you've misunderstood the point.
Benji
Guest
So when RL posters bang on about lopsided games in the RUWC the RL make sure there wont be lopsided games by putting the minnows in the one larger group and making only 2 heavyweight groups . So an unfair draw to get minnows into the Q-fs - credibility?? - If its 16 in next RL WC why not this time? There are 66 national teams playing RL...
Renegade
Roar Guru
You obviously care so much that you've commented 3 times... thanks for the read!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree Bleak. It would be a big deal for them if they can just win a game considering they are the lowest ranked side in the tournament.
Renegade
Roar Guru
hey matth, spot on regarding the home game comment.... the attendance at the Sydney games should be very healthy!
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Absolutely, New Zealand have been considerably weakened and it's going to be a struggle for them. Group B could go anyway, the biggest question is how their halves go. Lolohea and Hingano will need to provide plenty of structure, two young halves who are relatively untested at the elite level when compared to other nations' halves like Johnson, Cronk, Morgan, Widdop, Gale, etc.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Benji, I believe they don't want to impact the quality of the contests however as Fred said, there will be 16 spots for qualification at the next RLWC.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Thanks Riley! They have a good spine, its whether the support cast can do their bit as well. For me personally, Pool B looks to be the group of death.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Thanks Tripehound Preview for England tomorrow!
Fred
Guest
Who cares what another sport does? Why should RL follow Wimbledon? For what it's worth, there will be 16 teams at the next world cup.
Benji
Guest
Fred, So there are 4 groups - thanks for the answer coz its hard to find A and B have 4 teams and 3 go thru and there are 2 also ran groups of 3 each and the top one in those goes thru. Still begs the qn why there aren't 16 teams (factor of 4) like all other World cups, Wimbledon etc Any ideas?
BleakCity
Roar Rookie
If they can gel quickly I can see them getting over France (but could get ugly against the heavyweights). Probably helps they have a bunch of current & former Eels/Tigers which should assist combo's (Robinson/Layoun/Moses/Farah/Mannah/Twal/Wehbe).