Lebanon name Rugby League World Cup squad with Super League pair and an ex Castleford man

[CMPunk_Fan]

Lebanon have become the tenth and final nation to name their squad for the men's Rugby League World Cup, Love Rugby League reports. Michael Cheika is coaching them again after leading the side in 2022. He is now also an assistant at the Sydney Roosters. Having a coach of his experience is a real boost for a smaller rugby league nation

The 23 man squad includes two Super League players. Wigan winger Abbas Miski has been a Lebanon regular for almost a decade. He has not played first team rugby for Wigan this year because of salary cap issues and does not have a contract for 2027. Toulouse forward James Roumanos made 23 appearances this season

There is a Castleford link too. Charbel Tasipale, who now plays for the Newtown Jets, spent almost a year at Castleford across 2023 and 2024. The headline name is Canterbury's Jacob Kiraz. Others include Jason Saab from Manly, Alex Twal and Tony Sukkar from Wests Tigers, Jaxson Rahme from the Roosters, Tupou Francis from the Broncos and Brad Morkos from the Dragons

There is one notable absence. Mitchell Moses, who played for Lebanon in 2022, has chosen Australia this time. Lebanon reached the quarter finals at the last World Cup, so losing a playmaker of his quality will hurt. Kiraz and Saab will need to provide plenty of the spark out wide

Under the new inter group format, Lebanon play Papua New Guinea, France and Tonga. England, Lebanon and Samoa are in a group whose teams each play Tonga, France and PNG, with the top two of those six reaching the semi finals. The final is in Brisbane on 15 November. It is a format that gives Lebanon a decent chance of competitive games, though Tonga will be a big test

How far can Lebanon go without Mitchell Moses? And what do you make of the new inter group format?

Wigan Warriors star, ex-Castleford Tigers man in Lebanon squadwww.loverugbyleague.com

[Cheeky Kernel]

Inter group formats are confusing at first, but I think this one works. It means more competitive games and fewer one sided thrashings. Lebanon against Tonga should be a cracker. PNG are always tough as well. Fewer blowouts makes for better television