Lebanon Cedars Head Coach Brad Fittler has named a strong squad to face Niue in tomorrow night’s Rugby League World Cup warm-up match at Leichhardt Oval.
In the final hit-out for the Cedars before their historic RLWC campaign gets underway in two weeks, skipper Robbie Farah headlines a strong outfit that features a good mix of experience and youth.
Farah will start the match at halfback, with Bulldogs star Michael Lichaa slotting in at hooker.
Former Penrith Panther Travis Robinson has been named at centre, while the forward pack includes experienced Cedars Chris Saab, Nick Kassis and Ahmad Ellaz.
Only Tim Mannah, Mitchell Moses, Alex Twal, Reece Robinson and Ray Moujalli will be absent from the 24-man squad named at the Lebanon Gala Dinner last night.
All five Lebanon domestic players – Raymond Sabat, Toufic El Hage, Wael Harb, Imad Chidiac and Ali Abou Arabi – will also feature in the match.
The Lebanon versus Niue clash will kick-off at 7:30pm, with the Cedars’ Under 16s, Under 18s, Under 20s and Junipers (Womens) also set to feature in an action-filled day at Leichhardt Oval.
The Lebanon Under 16s will look to continue their strong from after an undefeated run in their Blue Harmony Cup campaign last weekend, taking out the trophy with a 22-14 win over Tonga in the final.
Tickets for the game will be $10 and available at the gate.
Lebanon Cedars vs Niue
Fullback - Anthony Layoun
Wing – Bilal Maarbani
Centre – James Elias
Centre – Travis Robinson
Wing – Abbas Miski
Five-Eighth – Jason Wehbe
Halfback – Robbie Farah (Captain)
Prop – Elias Sukkar
Hooker – Michael Lichaa
Prop – Mitchell Mamary
Second Row – Nick Kassis
Second Row – Chris Saab
Lock – Ahmad Ellaz
Reserves:
Danny Barakat, Jamie Clark, Adam Doueihi, Andrew Kazzi, Jaleel Seve-Derbas, Raymond Sabat, Ali Abou Arabi, Wael Harb, Imad Chidiac, Toufic El Hage
* Please note: Jersey numbers will be confirmed tomorrow night
Schedule – Saturday, 14 October
Field 1 (Leichhardt Oval)
4:30pm: Lebanon U18s vs Niue U18s
6:15pm: Lebanon Junipers vs Fiji (Womens)
7:30pm: Lebanon Cedars vs Niue
Field 2 (Leichhardt No. 2)
3:00pm: Lebanon U16s vs Fiji U16s
4:30pm: Lebanon U20s vs Fiji U20s
