Who should replace Lebanon in WC 2021?

[langpark]

It is clear, that in their current state, their is no way on earth they can field a team at the WC. I don't even mean a 'good' team either, I honestly doubt whether they can find 17 able-bodied males or not!

So, RLIF must make a decision quickly. I think the most logical thing would be for:
Scotland, Russia, Greece (lowest ranked)
Ireland, Italy, Spain (lowest ranked)
Cook Islands, USA (loser)

To form a group of 3, play their matches in 2020, and the winner of the group, gets Lebanon's spot.

 

[siv]

Before Lebanon auto qualified what was the plan for Lebanon in the playoffs ?

I think they needed to beat South Africa

If anything allow the loser of the Cooks v USA to face them the following week

 

[Pommy]

Never mind the World Cup they’re supposed to be playing the 9s this October/November.
I vote Jamaica to get that spot.
World Cup realistically it should be USA, South Africa are clearly not in a position to be playing the next World Cup after their game against cooks.
I can’t see a situation where USA win that play off so just give them both a spot. The RLIF are still making noises about a NA World Cup so USA really need to be there this time IMHO.

 

[langpark]

Before Lebanon auto qualified what was the plan for Lebanon in the playoffs ?

I think they needed to beat South Africa

If anything allow the loser of the Cooks v USA to face them the following week

I think that is what will end up happening. Either way, they should get it sorted as soon as possible.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

USA need to be there for the sake of the game. If Lebanon are removed - give the USA the spot as a wildcard

 

[adamkungl]

I'm still predicting Lebanon will hold their spot. Until there is an accusation of board misconduct from someone that actually matters, I have no reason to think otherwise.
Remember there is serious risk of creating another Greece here if the RLIF is forced to take harsh action. Be careful what you wish for...

IF Lebanon can't hold their spot, then I think it should go to the loser of Cook Islands v USA.

 

[Pommy]

I'm still predicting Lebanon will hold their spot. Until there is an accusation of board misconduct from someone that actually matters, I have no reason to think otherwise.
Remember there is serious risk of creating another Greece here if the RLIF is forced to take harsh action. Be careful what you wish for...

IF Lebanon can't hold their spot, then I think it should go to the loser of Cook Islands v USA.

Who is going to ply the games? If they’re not running a senior comp and can’t call on heritage players who’s going to play?

 

[adamkungl]

Who is going to ply the games? If they’re not running a senior comp and can’t call on heritage players who’s going to play?

Their university comp ran this year.
Their senior club comp may well run this year or next.
And who's to say there aren't heritage players that don't agree with Farah and Saab's crusade?

I don't doubt they'll get flogged, regardless of who's fault it is, they've shot themselves in the foot.
But I don't see them struggling to find 17 able-bodied human males.

 

[Pommy]

Their university comp ran this year.
Their senior club comp may well run this year or next.
And who's to say there aren't heritage players that don't agree with Farah and Saab's crusade?

I don't doubt they'll get flogged, regardless of who's fault it is, they've shot themselves in the foot.
But I don't see them struggling to find 17 able-bodied human males.

Isn’t the reason for not playing a senior comp that they were worried about the danger aspect in their low standards? Sending a load of students to play pros make it a little laughable.

 

[adamkungl]

I thought it was there was a stupidly high forfeit rate and some clubs weren't actually registered as official clubs etc. Sloppy off-field standards I heard

 

[___]

Lebanon should not be replaced by USA in the World Cup. At least Lebanon won a game at the World Cup and put up pretty brave fights against Australia and England... the same could NOT be said by the USA who were humiliated in all their outings. At least Lebanon have a good few NRL players in their squad.

 

[Pommy]

Lebanon should not be replaced by USA in the World Cup. At least Lebanon won a game at the World Cup and put up pretty brave fights against Australia and England... the same could NOT be said by the USA who were humiliated in all their outings. At least Lebanon have a good few NRL players in their squad.

What NRL players?

I don’t think anyone thought they’re ere humiliated. Samoa and NZ were humiliated not USA.

 

[___]

What NRL players?

I don’t think anyone thought they’re ere humiliated. Samoa and NZ were humiliated not USA.

What do you mean what NRL players? Tim Mannah, Mitchell Moses, Robbie Farah, and Alex Twal for starters. Since then, Abbas Miski and Adam Doueihi have gone on to make their NRL debuts, and Josh Mansour who is eligible to play for Lebanon decided to instead play for Australia (understandably) - however as it looks like his representative career (in Australia) maybe over, he might opt to play for Lebanon instead next World Cup.

I guess humiliated is a matter of interpretation, however USA losing 58-12 to Fiji and 46-0 to Italy isn't exactly something to cheer about (for them).

 

[adamkungl]

old mate obviously missed the memo where all their NRL players are fighting the board

 

[Pommy]

What do you mean what NRL players? Tim Mannah, Mitchell Moses, Robbie Farah, and Alex Twal for starters. Since then, Abbas Miski and Adam Doueihi have gone on to make their NRL debuts, and Josh Mansour who is eligible to play for Lebanon decided to instead play for Australia (understandably) - however as it looks like his representative career (in Australia) maybe over, he might opt to play for Lebanon instead next World Cup.

I guess humiliated is a matter of interpretation, however USA losing 58-12 to Fiji and 46-0 to Italy isn't exactly something to cheer about (for them).

So all the players they’ve just banned from playing for them and the entire premise of this thread?

 

[___]

old mate obviously missed the memo where all their NRL players are fighting the board

So all the players they’ve just banned from playing for them and the entire premise of this thread?

I'm sure once the next WC comes round the issue the NRL players have with the board will be resolved.

 

[Pommy]

I'm sure once the next WC comes round the issue the NRL players have with the board will be resolved.

Well the 9s World Cup is in October so they had better pull their finger out.

 

[___]

Well the 9s World Cup is in October so they had better pull their finger out.

No one really takes the 9s seriously though lol. 9s footy is completely different from the WC.

 

[Pommy]

No one really takes the 9s seriously though lol. 9s footy is completely different from the WC.

Well it’s the first 9s World Cup so yeah of course, it doesn’t change the fact they don’t really have a team.

 

[siv]

World 9s is only open by invitation so standard is maintained

They could easily say that Lebanon no longer meets that minimum stanard and revoke that invitation