Lebanon name squad for World Cup warm-up match

Reece and Travis Robinson headline the Lebanon squad that has been named to face emerging Italy in a World Cup warm-up match this Saturday, October 24. 

The Lebanese Cedars will kick off their preparations this weekend against the Italian emerging men’s squad at Lidcombe Oval, Sydney.

The match is currently Lebanon’s only match before the World Cup kicks-off on October 15. Michael Cheika’s side defeated Malta 30-14 in a mid-season international for the Elias-Fenech Trophy at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney.

37-year-old former Sydney Roosters forward Ray Moujali has also been named alongside the Robinson brothers.

Travis featured in the NRL for Penrith Panthers and also signed with Melbourne Storm. He made his international debut for Lebanon in 2009.

Brother Reece made 120 appearances in the NRL across stints with Brisbane, Canberra, Parramatta and Sydney.

READ: How Lebanon could line-up at the Rugby League World Cup

Players currently involved in the play-offs in the NRL have not been included. However, they could yet add the likes of Josh Mansour (South Sydney), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers) and Mitchell Moses (Parramatta) to their squad for the World Cup in England. Wigan’s Abbas Miski is also set to represent his heritage, having represented Lebanon on nine occasions.

Lebanon will feature in Group C of the Men’s tournament alongside Ireland, Jamaica and New Zealand.

Lebanon squad to face Italy

Donovan Boney, Reece Robinson, Khalil Rahme, Anthony Layoun, Daniel Arahu, Christian Yassmin, Jayden El Jalkh, Jon Bernard Kairouz, Adam Rizk, Joshua Maree, Tony Maroun, Nick Kassis, Jacob Karam, Travis Robinson, AJ Rehab, Ray Moujali (C), Jaleel Seve-Derbas, Jalal Bazzaz, Andrew Kazzi, Chaz Jarvis. 

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