Born in Australia to Lebanese parents, former Australian Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has crossed codes for this year’s Rugby League World Cup campaign and was hoping to see his side give the competition a real shake.
In guiding the Lebanon Cedars side this campaign, Cheika also wanted to make sure all the players selected in the squad had a real connection to their homeland, which has endured a number of tragedies and economic hardships in recent years.
“It’s not representation in name only,” Cheika said when asked about why he was placing so much importance teaching the history and culture of Lebanon in a football camp.
“This is a youngish crew, while the other crew that played ’17 were a bit older and grizzly, this is a young crew and I think what this has done and what ’17 did as well, has made these players want to play for Lebanon.
"It’s also … about connections they are making inside of Lebanon now that they wouldn’t have made if it wasn’t for the game, if it wasn’t for being picked in the team, the relatives who have contacted them.
“(For) players who haven’t had much of their Lebanese heritage in their family life; now that’s changing because they are involved in this and I think that can only be a good thing for them.”
Newly appointed captain Mitchell Moses said Cheika had been “outstanding” in the lead-up to the tournament and was helping to instill even more pride in the jersey.
“He’s such a passionate person and he has really reconnected everyone with their Lebanese culture, their Lebanese heritage and what it means to pull on this jersey,” Moses said.
“He speaks with so much passion, you can see that, and it resonates with all the boys in this team.
“We are very excited to represent Lebanon, but also represent Cheik.
“I’m just excited to be here and play for Lebanon.”
During their last tournament in 2017, there was an upswell of support for the side who made it through to the quarterfinals, and as one of the few sports where Lebanon competes on the world stage, Moses said his side did not take the opportunity lightly.
“For us to represent Lebanon on the world stage, it doesn’t really happen much, you know what I mean?” Moses said.
“Lebanon have been going through a tough time back at home, a lot of things have been happening … so for us to be representing them on the world stage and for us to make them proud and do them proud on a world stage and hopefully get a few wins, we are happy to do that and we are excited for that challenge.”
Coach Cheika – who currently also coaches Argentina’s national rugby union team the Pumas and serves as coaching director at Japanese rugby club Green Rockets Tokatsu – was also excited to see his players take on the challenging pool which will see them face the top-ranked New Zealand side as their first match.
“(We) want to start well and go from there … now the games are coming, it will be like a kid on the first day of school,” Cheika said.
“We have played a couple games now, but the one coming up against New Zealand is going to be huge.
“Everyone has their two bobs worth, especially the Lebs, they all want to give you a bit of advice right back home, I think there has been some chat ‘I think you should rest your guys initially and then play the other two games’ - not a chance, you come to a Rugby League World Cup, especially in the position that we are, and you get a chance to play against New Zealand, you want to be there, you want to be on, that’s the experience.
“You have got to bring a certain type of competition and creativity … (New Zealand) are planning for the end of the tournament, and they will get there obviously, but we just have to make sure we are bringing the best we possibly can, because that will set us up for the rest of the tournament.”
Lebanon kick off their campaign in Pool C on Monday morning against New Zealand.
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