At The Sporting Base, we will be previewing all 16 Rugby League World Cup nations ahead of the men’s tournament’s kick-off on 15 October. In the 11th part of the series, we look at whether or not a Lebanon squad coached by Michael Cheika can build off a successful 2017 campaign and qualify for back-to-back postseasons.
IRL Ranking: 13th
Group: C
Schedule: New Zealand (Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington); Ireland (Leigh Sports Village, Leigh); Jamaica (Leigh Sports Village, Leigh)
World Cup Appearances: 2 (2000, 2017)
Best Result: Quarterfinals (2017)
Head Coach: Michael Cheika
Title Odds: $1001
Lebanon made their return to international rugby league earlier this year trumping Malta 30-14 at Belmore to take home the Elias-Fenech Shield despite none of their NRL stars being available.
The Cedars will kick their tournament off against heavyweights New Zealand in Warrington before facing Ireland and Jamaica in Leigh – two must-win games if they are to advance to the quarterfinals.
Their clash with the Irish will likely decide which of the two advances beyond the group stage to set up a potential meeting with tournament favourites Australia.
Adam Doueihi and Mitchell Moses are expected to line-up alongside one another for the first time to form arguably a top three halves-pairing in international rugby league with several other NRL campaigners expected to join them.
Head coach Michael Cheika has a number of exciting backline options to choose from including South Sydney veteran Josh Mansour, Canterbury young gun Jacob Kiraz, Canberra teenager Brad Morkos and Wigan flanker Abbas Miski.
120-game NRL veteran Reece Robinson lined up on one wing for the Cedars in their successful Elias-Fenech Shield clash whilst Blacktown Workers outside back Bilal Maarbani notched a double in the centres.
Combining a potential back five of Kiraz, Mansour, Miski, Morkos and Robinson with a halves-pairing of Doueihi and Moses offers some serious heat and should have them well-positioned for a quarterfinals charge with lower-graders Maarbani, Tony Francis, Anthony Layoun, Josh Rizk, Allan Lockwood, John Paul Nohra and Christian Yasmin all offering solid depth options.
Hooking options will include Blacktown Workers playmaker Adam Rizk, Wests Tigers youngster Michael Tannous, and Canterbury youngster Danny Ghantous.
Cheika will also have some decisions to make in his forward pack with Wests Tigers prop Alex Twal unavailable due to concussion. Expect the pack to be headed by James Roumanos – who made his NRL debut for Manly in their final game of the season, Kayne Kalache – a Newtown prop who captained to Cedars to Elias-Fenech Shield success, Elie El-Zakhem – an 80-minute NSW Cup edge forward for Parramatta, Charbel Tasipale – a Newtown back-rower – and Dom Ayoub – an Ipswich forward.
Lower-graders Khalil Rahme, Daniel Arahu, Jacob Karam, Josh Maree, Hanna-Jonathan El-Nchar and Nick Kassis may also come into the frame.
Lebanon present a rather strong squad and they will enter the tournament expecting to earn wins against Ireland and Jamaica in the group stage and rocket up the world rankings.
