Lebanon coach David Bayssari has named a 39-man train-on squad for October’s 2013 Rugby League World Cup European zone qualifiers following consultation with the French Federation’s Thierry Dumaine, the LRLF’s technical assistant. Included are fifteen of the 2009 European Cup squad, which placed third after victories against Italy and Ireland, while eight players who represented Lebanon in the 2008 world cup qualifiers in 2006 and 2007 return to a squad that is bristling with both experience and young talent.
“I am extremely satisfied with the players we have selected,” said Bayssari, who became Lebanon’s fifth head coach in June. “Having spoken to our Australian-based players, the desire to represent Lebanon is as strong as ever and everyone is determined to help Lebanon qualify for the world cup in 2013. Thierry Dumaine did a wonderful job in Morocco and I know the players in Lebanon have worked exceptionally hard, so everything augurs well for a good qualifying campaign in October.”
NRL first graders Johnny Mannah and speedster Reece Robinson headline the group, while canny Balmain utility George Ndaira, who drew such impressive reviews following his performances against Wales and Ireland in 2007, provides play-making ingenuity to a seasoned group. The former Rabbitoh, Dragon and Knight is joined by Parramatta’s former NSW Origin U16 five-eighth Jason Wehbe, prominent amongst a clutch of exciting tyros. Joining the 19-year-old Wehbe is Daniel Abou-Sleiman, the Bulldogs’ prolific Toyota Cup fullback, former Cronulla NYC second row Ahmad Ellaz, Sharks Toyota Cup utilities Ali Hijazi and Michael Lichaa, and Balamand’s eighteen-year-old rake Samer Neghme, who played for Liban Espoir (Lebanon U20) in March before making a seamless jump to the full national side for this summer’s tour to Morocco.
Bayssari added: “The selection of youngsters such as Daniel Abou-Sleiman, Ali Hijazi, Jason Wehbe and Michael Lichaa in particular is indicative of the talent in the Under 20s in Australia and I know there are many more players coming through our development systems who will be the cornerstone of the Lebanon national team in the years ahead.”
Immortals RLFC forward Robin Hachache, who heads up a four-strong component from Lebanon’s champion club, is almost an ever-present Cedar since debuting in the 2007 qualifiers, having missed only the 2009 European Cup match against Ireland due to illness, and will be hoping to add to his 13 caps.
The squad will be cut to 30 on 19 September and will combine in Lebanon in the second week of October ahead of their opening match against Serbia on 16 October.
LEBANON TRAIN-ON SQUAD
Paul Khauli (AUB); Ahmad El Masri (AUST); Samer Neghme, Gaeton Osman, Allen Soultan (Balamand); George Ndaira (Balmain Tigers); Nick Kassis (Cabramatta); Reece Robinson (Canberra Raiders); Daniel Abou-Sleiman, Steve Azzi (Canterbury Bulldogs); Ali Hijazi, Michael Lichaa, Johnny Mannah (Cronulla Sharks); Youssef El Helou, Pierre Nasr (Jounieh RLFC); Ibrahim Ballout, Robin Hachache, Rudy Hachache, Walid Yassin (LAU Immortals RLFC); Ray Moujalli (Manly Sea Eagles); Anthony Farah, Adham El Zbedieh (Mounties); Charlie Farah (Narrabeen); Jamie Clark, Khaled Deeb, Ahmed Ellaz (Newtown Jets); Joshua Mansour (North Sydney); Jason Wehbe (Parramatta Eels); Danny Barakat, Daniel Chiha, Ali Kourouche, Toufic Nicolas, Chris Saab, Adnan Saleh (St John’s Eagles); Travis Robinson (unattached); Liam Ayoub (Western Suburbs);; Monir Finan, Ray Finan, Nemer Saliba (Wolves RLFC)