Cedars ready to showdown with the Cook Islands

While the players have just woken from their summer hibernation to begin preseason training, the Lebanese Rugby League Federation’s commitment has taken it 14,188 km away from its head office. With the LRLF having one eye on the 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers, Lebanon’s first test match with the Cook Islands Sunday at The Crest Stadium should be more about the performance than the result. The federation will be looking for the next generation of Australian based Lebanese players to fly the Cedars flag. It was not so long ago the Lebanese side would have gone into such a friendly expecting nothing short of a win, but recent poor results – in particular a disappointing 36-18 defeat to Canada in August – have changed the landscape somewhat for the Cedars. Cedars head coach David Bayssari promised changes after the game in Toronto, with his alterations more widespread that some expected – only five players have been recalled from that Canadian loss. Looking to the future means a need to look at Lebanese youth in Australia. “It’s great to see new faces coming through the ranks and filling in the spots of seniors that have stepped down,” Bayssari said. “With our new program and technical department in effect, we hope to build up for 2017 starting with this game,” he added. LRLF chief Remond Safi – who has flown more over the summer months than an air hostess would do in a year – is also Down Under to ensure the entire operation goes smoothly, and has been inundated with people offering their services to the cause. “It’s been amazing,” Safi said. “The support out here for our project is overwhelming. The Lebanese people never lose track of their heritage and are always looking for ways to keep in touch with their homeland, and this game has given them that opportunity,” he added. “It is going to be really hard to go back to Lebanon as working rugby league out here is awesome. “You get more people wanting to give to the game without asking anything in return as they truly see the meaning behind the project.” The last time Lebanon played the Cook Islands was during the 2000 World Cup in England, with the final score 22-22. With both teams virtually level in the world rankings the result could come down to the last play of the game, but the true outcome the LRLF is looking for is four years away. Safi announced that the turnout of Lebanese-Australian players has been so positive that an under-20s Liban Espoir side has been formed to take on an under-20s Cook Island outfit before the senior game. The U-20s Liban Espoir squad will be announced soon. From DailyStar