Lebanon’s rugby league story is an interesting one. From Hazem El-Masri onwards, the migrant community in Western Sydney has churned out a solid production line of superb talent, who have proudly represented the Cedars in international competition going back as far as 2000.
They’ve also got a strong domestic competition – largely inspired by those in Sydney – that has continued to play despite huge setbacks, political and economic struggles and more internal disputes than one cares to mention.
Lebanon were given a place at the 2000 World Cup on the proviso that they work towards developing the sport in country, and they did that: domestic players have played for the country in major internationals. The league is still developing, of course, but the commitment is there.
The question for coach Michael Cheika – fresh off the back of beating Australia in rugby union – will be if they can match Ireland and Jamaica. All three will lose to New Zealand, but the second spot for the knockouts is very much up for grabs.
The standouts, of course, are Mitchell Moses and Adam Douehi, who are genuine NRL superstars. Everyone else will go where they lead. The loss of Alex Twal, who had his season ended by a series of concussions, is huge.
“I can’t wait for it,” said Cheika, who is head coach with Argentina in rugby union and Lebanon in rugby league.
“It’s going to be an experience to be coaching in a World Cup in another spot. It’s going to be awesome. I’ve not really thought a heap about what I’m going to be doing yet, I just need to get through this one.”
Much like Greece, Lebanon will really run the gamut from elite talent down to youngsters, career second graders and, really, anyone who is eligible below that.
The big hitters are bigger than most: Moses and Douehi will be among the best halves pairing in the whole comp, and Abbas Miski and Josh Mansour will bring all the experience in the world on the wingers.
Jacob Kiraz, the man the Bulldogs fans call the Lebanese King, is pure excitement and will likely shift to fullback to allow the two older chaps to go on the wing.
Raiders’ centre Brad Morkos isn’t far off an NRL debut, with Kayne Kalache (Newtown) and Elie El-Zakhem (Parramatta) in the same boat.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
There’s a host of NSW Cup talent in this side, so let’s rattle through them. Bilal Maarbani, James Roumanos and Anthony Layoun are second grade lifers. Charbel Tasipale partners Kalache in the back row at Newtown and likely will at the World Cup.
Reece Robinson has been playing rugby union, but reappeared for the midseason game too.
(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Things get a little more interesting the deeper into the system you go. Joshua Maree, a second row, plays from Wentworthville United, Jalal Bazzaz from Wests – the lllawarra version – and Andrew Kazzi from the Magpies.
Khalil Rahme is a prop for Mounties in third grade, along with Tony Maroun at Ryde-Eastwood Hawks.
There’s a few Flegg players scattered around. Hanna-Jonathan El-Nchar features regularly in the Panthers at 20s level and Khaled Rajab do the same for the Bulldogs, though he’s been good enough for a run in NSW Cup of late.
Michael Tannous is a regular in the Wests Tigers system and Jaxson Rahme is at Souths. From the domestic comp, Toufic El-Hajj and Atef Hamdan are in.
Confirmed Squad
1 Jacob Kiraz
2 Josh Mansour
3 Bilal Maarbani
4 Brad Morkos
5 Abbas Miski
6 Adam Douehi
7 Mitchell Moses
8 Hanna-Jonathan El-Nchar
9 James Roumanos
10 Jalal Bazzaz
11 Elie El-Zakham
12 Charbel Tasipale
13 Kayne Kalache
14 Anthony Layoun
15 Tony Maroun
16 Khalil Rahme
17 Andrew Kazzi
18 Reece Robinson
19 Joshua Maree
20 Khaled Rajab
21 Mike Tannous
22 Jaxson Rahme
23 Toufic El-Hajj
24 Atef Hamram
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