By Peter Rutzler –– Lebanon is not the first place that comes to mind when you think rugby league. But, thanks to the country’s Australian diaspora, the sport has found a foothold in the Middle East. Their return to the world stage has also been a long time coming. Since their last outing at a World Cup in 2000, the Cedars have twice gone through qualification undefeated, yet still failed to reach the finals. In 2008, they lost out to Ireland by virtue of points difference, before going on to lose to Samoa in the play-offs. Five years later, they were struck by a brutal dose of déjà vu having missed out by points difference once again, this time to Italy. Fiercely competitive But on Friday the side coached by Aussie legend Brad Fittler will make their World Cup return in front of over 50,000 people in Canberra, when they take on France in the fiercely competitive Group A, alongside England and co-hosts Australia.

For the chief executive of the Lebanese Rugby League Federation (LRLF), Remond Safi, their return to rugby league’s premier international competition can only benefit a sport that is growing in popularity. “It’s important for us that we reached this level.” Safi tells i. “It gives us more awareness and increases our participation numbers. The most important thing is the local championship to be played which allows us to reach this level and to participate.” The Lebanese Championship has been growing both in terms of participation and coverage. Currently, it boasts five sides from across the country, with Tripoli RLFC, Wolves LRFC and Lycans RLFC all having representation in the national set-up. World Cup fever Rugby league is also carried by all 10 of the country’s leading newspapers as well as its major television and radio outlets. Unsurprisingly then, World Cup fever is beginning to take hold.

The Lebanese national team first formed back in 1999, entirely comprised of Australians of Lebanese descent, predominantly from inner-city Sydney. Today, whilst the squad still mainly features players eligible for the co-hosts, there are five players from the Lebanese domestic league in the set-up too. “It is very important to have the local domestic players part of this because it shows a player pathway for the locals.” Safi says. “It shows that there is an end goal to reach, a World Cup or high international level fixtures.” Tough group Fittler’s side have a tough group, but they are not here just to make up the numbers. Their squad is an impressive one, boasting a number of star names from the Australian NRL, including Mitchell Moses, Robbie Farah and Tim Mannah. “I would like them to go all on the way” says Safi. “We’re realistic as well, based on the pool we’ve been thrown into. We’re very happy if we can get to the quarter-finals.”