el masri wont be playing for lebanon in wc! thats what we can make of this article in todays sydney morning herald.
but reading into it, i think it has been quite a while since el masri turned his back on lebanon rl. probably when he played for nsw in this years state of origin.
it may pose a problem - as lebanon potentially field a younger and inexperienced team. but it is these players that have put in the hard yards for lebanon so far.
however, this team of relatively unknowns has formed a great bond and when both situations meet - maybe the current team is better than what could be fielded with their nrl stars.
Lebanon romp in league Cup qualifier
Lebanon rugby league coach Darren Maroon will favour players currently involved in the Cedars' World Cup campaign over absent stars like Hazem El Masri when it comes time to pick a team for next year's tournament.
Made up mainly of Australia-based players, Lebanon pounded Russia 48-0 in Saturday's World Cup qualifier at Nara Stadium on the outskirts of Moscow.
They need only to beat Ireland at Dewbury on Friday to qualify for next year's 10-team World Cup in Australia, despite the withdrawal of Bulldogs winger El Masri and Wests Tigers' refusal to release Robbie Farah and Jarrod Saffy.
"They're not filling in," Maroon said of their replacements, such as current hooker Jamie Clark.
"If some people don't make themselves available and these guys do, then they've got a head start.
"But (Robbie Farah) is a unique situation."
Sydney Roosters signing George Ndaira captained Lebanon from halfback at the weekend while St George Illawarra centre Frank Samia was one of three Cedars to notch try braces.
The Russians, beaten 58-18 the previous Saturday by Ireland, held Lebanon to 6-0 after 20 minutes but their defence out wide was no match for the speed and precision of the visitors in bitingly cold temperatures.
Former Wests Tigers import Roman Ovchinikov was the Bears best, later saying: "It is disappointing some of the small countries are in the World Cup and we will not be.
"But we are doing the best we can at this time."
Veteran centre Hassan Saleh described the weather as the second-worst conditions Lebanon have ever played in while Maroon commented: "We have improvements to make, big improvements.
"We were rusty, it was our first game together."
but reading into it, i think it has been quite a while since el masri turned his back on lebanon rl. probably when he played for nsw in this years state of origin.
it may pose a problem - as lebanon potentially field a younger and inexperienced team. but it is these players that have put in the hard yards for lebanon so far.
however, this team of relatively unknowns has formed a great bond and when both situations meet - maybe the current team is better than what could be fielded with their nrl stars.
Lebanon romp in league Cup qualifier
Lebanon rugby league coach Darren Maroon will favour players currently involved in the Cedars' World Cup campaign over absent stars like Hazem El Masri when it comes time to pick a team for next year's tournament.
Made up mainly of Australia-based players, Lebanon pounded Russia 48-0 in Saturday's World Cup qualifier at Nara Stadium on the outskirts of Moscow.
They need only to beat Ireland at Dewbury on Friday to qualify for next year's 10-team World Cup in Australia, despite the withdrawal of Bulldogs winger El Masri and Wests Tigers' refusal to release Robbie Farah and Jarrod Saffy.
"They're not filling in," Maroon said of their replacements, such as current hooker Jamie Clark.
"If some people don't make themselves available and these guys do, then they've got a head start.
"But (Robbie Farah) is a unique situation."
Sydney Roosters signing George Ndaira captained Lebanon from halfback at the weekend while St George Illawarra centre Frank Samia was one of three Cedars to notch try braces.
The Russians, beaten 58-18 the previous Saturday by Ireland, held Lebanon to 6-0 after 20 minutes but their defence out wide was no match for the speed and precision of the visitors in bitingly cold temperatures.
Former Wests Tigers import Roman Ovchinikov was the Bears best, later saying: "It is disappointing some of the small countries are in the World Cup and we will not be.
"But we are doing the best we can at this time."
Veteran centre Hassan Saleh described the weather as the second-worst conditions Lebanon have ever played in while Maroon commented: "We have improvements to make, big improvements.
"We were rusty, it was our first game together."
