Efforts to establish Rugby League in the Middle Eastern nation of Lebanon started in the late 1990’s, when a group of Australian-based players of Lebanese heritage established the Lebanese Rugby League (LRL).

Following the establishment of the LRL, Lebanon entered a team in the 1997 World Sevens tournament in Sydney, with the Cedars defeating both Melbourne and NSW Country teams before being knocked out by eventual tournament champions, the Parramatta Eels.

The Cedars would play their first ever sanctioned international against Japan in Tokyo during 1998, before being invited to take part in the World Cup Qualifiers for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup the following year.

Lebanon defeated Morocco, Italy and the USA to qualify for their first ever World Cup, however despite their strong performances in the qualifiers, Lebanon was only able to manage a draw against the Cook Islands in the group stages of the tournament, losing to both Wales and New Zealand.

Following Lebanon’s participation in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, efforts were made to help establish the code within the country with the Cedar’s hosting their first international on home soil against France in 2002.

Held in Tripoli, the Cedars defeated a young France ‘A’ side 36 – 6 in front of 9,713 spectators.  Following the success of the home international the first ever-domestic competition was held that same year, with the Lebanese Rugby League Federation (LRLF) formed the following year.

Lebanon’s next chance to qualify for a World Cup came in the 2006/07 Qualifiers when the Cedars were grouped with Ireland and Russia.  Despite defeating the Russians in both clashes, Lebanon drew with Ireland 18-all and 16-all to miss out on automatically qualifying for the tournament on for and against.

After missing out, Lebanon was forced to go into the repechage qualifier, where they defeated Wales before losing to Samoa who were the 10th and final qualifier for the 2008 tournament hosted by Australia.

The 2013 World Cup Qualifiers felt a bit like déjà vu for the Lebanese.  Grouped with Russia, Serbia and Italy, the Cedars again went through the group staged undefeated, beating both the Bears (Russia) and White Eagles (Serbia) before drawing 19-all with the Azzurri (Italy).  With a superior points differential, the Italians took Lebanon’s spot in the tournament, forcing the Cedars to again sit out another World Cup.

Despite missing out on consecutive World Cups, the game in Lebanon continued to grow, with a number of Colleges and Schools in the country taking up the sport, with the code making a number of significant inroads around both Tripoli and Beirut.

Lebanon finally qualified for their second ever World Cup in 2015, when the Cedars defeated the South African Rhinos to win the Middle-East / North Africa (MENA) Qualifier.

Lebanon will join France, Australia and England in Pool A at the 2017 tournament.

The Lebanese Rugby League Federation (LRLF) coordinate the domestic game throughout Lebanon, running the Lebanese Championship, the Collegiate Championships and Schools Rugby League Championships.

In the 2015/16 season, the West Beirut Immortals defeated the Jounieh Predators at the Université Libanaise Hadath, 56 – 10, to claim back to back titles.

Moniker: Cedars
Colours: Green, Red and White
Coach: Tarek Houchar
First Test: Lebanon 52 defeated Japan 28, Tokyo, Japan 1998
Best World Cup Result: Group Stages (2000)

Hazem El Masri:  Hazem is possibly one of the most famous Lebanese-Australian players to ever take up the code.  A 300+ game veteran for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL, Hazem made his international debut for the Cedars back in 1999 against France. Playing just seven tests for the Lebanon national team, Hazem still holds to this day the point scoring record for the Cedars of 176 points (13 tries, 62 conversions).

Chris Salem: Salem has represented the Lebanese national team 19 times between 2000 and 2009. Making his international debut in 1999 in the World Cup Qualifiers. With 15 tries to his name from his 19 appearences, Salem also holds the try scoring record for the Lebanese national team.

Heading into the Rugby League World Cup 2017, let’s look at some of the players who will be integral to the success of the Cedars in the upcoming tournament.

Robbie Farah: Fifteen years after making his international debut for Lebanon in Tripoli, 2016 NSW Blues hooker, Robbie Farah, is set to be one of the big name players to represent the Cedars in 2017 World Cup.  Still one of the dominant hookers of the game, Farah will provide plenty of welcome direction and a competitive attitude which will see Lebanon trouble their group opponents.

Tim Mannah: The Parramatta Eels’ captain is almost certain to make his debut for the Cedar at the World Cup.  One of the most consistent prop forwards in National Rugby League, Mannah is will be set to be the cornerstone of the Cedars forward pack.

Mitchell Moses: Lebanon is set to be one of the major beneficiaries of the new international eligibility rules by being able to secure the services of exciting half, Mitchell Moses for the tournament.  With Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston likely to retain their halfback positions for the Australian Kangaroos, it is unlikely Moses will be in contention for a green and gold jersey, which will only help Lebanon in their quest to qualify for their tournament finals.

Progressing from the Group Stages to the finals will be no small feat for the Lebanon Cedars, who have drawn England, France and co-hosts Australia in their Pool.

Whilst there is no doubt that Lebanon will come into the tournament with a significant amount of NRL, NSW Cup and Queensland Cup experience at their disposal, the lack of game time together in the lead up to the tournament may work against the Cedars.

The one advantage Lebanon will have being grouped in this Pool will be that they arguably only need one win in order to progress to the final eight and will be targeting their opening game against France in Canberra.

Whilst on paper, Lebanon might hold a 3-1 record over France, the reality is that France sent junior squads to the three games Lebanon won in Tripoli between 2002 and 2004.   Considering neither side has met in any capacity in over a decade, the match will be an unknown quantity, with the playing style of both nations changing significantly since then. 

Vs France
Played: 4
W 3 – D 0 – L 1
Purchase Tickets to France v Lebanon in Canberra on 29/10/2017

Vs England
Played: 0
W 0 – D 0 – L 0
Purchase Tickets to England v Lebanon in Sydney on 4/11/2017

Vs Australia
Played: 0
W 0– D 0 – L 0
Purchase Tickets to England v Lebanon in Sydney on 11/11/2017

Written by Steve Birchall, RLWC2017 Contributor