ЮАР принимает Ливан в квалификации

Первый матч: ЮАР  12 - 40  Ливан

Второй матч:  ЮАР  16 - 50  Ливан 

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

FROM: RLEF MEDIA DEPARTMENT   DATE: 25 October 2015

CONTACT: phil.caplan@rlef.eu.com / +44 7850719412 

2017 RLWC QUALIFIER - MEA GAME 1: SOUTH AFRICA 12 LEBANON 40 – Report

Lebanon are in pole position to contest their first Rugby League World Cup since 2000, after a convincing first leg win over hosts South Africa in Brakpan, near Pretoria

In the searing heat, the Cedars ran in seven tries, three to experienced winger Travis Robinson, while classy half back James Boustani landed six goals.

“We’ve been training together for five weeks and I thought it came together really well,” said Lebanon second rower, man of the match Elias Sukkar. “We played a tough opponent but we managed to get through them. Our structure was the difference and our defence was really good.

“Next week we just have to play our game and not move away from what we do so well and I’m sure we’ll confirm our place in the Rugby League World Cup.”

Robinson posted an ominous warning in the third minute, the Cedars spreading the ball wide direct from a scrum to go over in the corner, Boustani adding the extras from the touchline.

Centre Johan Joubert responded, running a terrific line to cut through two defenders to narrow the gap, Bradley Williams wide with the conversion attempt.

Lebanon skipper Chris Saab crossed from close in, the Cedars then losing experienced forward Ray Moujalli with a deep gash to his knee which required hospital treatment as Daniel Abou-Sleiman went over to increase the lead, Boustani making it 18-4.

Seven minutes before the break, Melbourne Storm’s Robinson went on a superb weaving solo run to cross in the corner to make it 22-4, too far out for Boustani to goal.

The heat and humidity began to take its toll in the second period, the visitors further hampered when Ahmad Ellazwas  sin binned in the 52^nd minute for a dangerous tackle.

South Africa immediately took advantage, Halvor Harris grubbering through and full back Jason King grounding, Williams again wide with the conversion.

Two tries in four minutes, from Mitchell Mamary and Tarek El Masri then took the game away from the hosts as Lebanon made good ground up the middle, Sukkar excelling, Nardus Raubenheimer replying with a score that looked to keep the second leg alive.

But Robinson put a significant gap between the teams with his hat-trick score two minutes from time.

“They dominated really well,” acknowledged South Africa coach Brian Greige. “Our completion rate was really good but we made too many mistakes in key areas, especially in the first half. We had 41 missed tackles which cost us the game, and the first 20 minutes hurt us after which we had to play catch-up football.

“We have a few things to work on this week but we should be good for the experience and hopefully we’ll turn it around.”

The sides meet again at the same venue on 30^th October. 

SOUTH AFRICA 12

Jason King, Gideon Mzembe, Johan Joubert, Jean Coetzer, Shuab Samaai, Theo Rhodes, Bradley Williams, Jaice Terblanche, Marcell Viljoen, Louis Musson, Dwayne Botma, Halvor Harris, Shane Gilham

Subs (all used): Nardus Raubenheimer, Rupert Wells, Rudolph Prinsloo, Jean Pierre Nel 

Tries: Joubert (12), King (56), Raubenheimer (73)

Goals: Williams 0/2, Coetzer 0/1 

LEBANON 40

Daniel Abou-Sleiman, Adham El Zbaidieh, Tarek El Masri, Chris Saab, Travis Robinson, Mark Daoud, James Boustani, Mitchell Mamary, Ali Allouche, Ray Moujalli, Elias Sukkar, Nick Kassis, Ahmad Ellaz

Subs (all used): Richard Coorey, James Elias, Wael Harb, Robin Hachache 

Tries: Robinson (3,33,78), Saab (17), Abou Sleiman (21), Mamary (59), El Masri (63)

Goals: Boustani 6/7

Sinbin: Ellaz (52 - dangerous tackle)

Man of the match: Elias Sukkar

Half time: 4-22    Referee: Phil Bentham (England)
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PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

FROM: RLEF MEDIA DEPARTMENT

DATE: 31 October 2015

CONTACT: phil.caplan@rlef.eu.com / +44 7850719412

2017 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD QUALIFIER – MEA Game 2: SOUTH AFRICA 16 LEBANON 50 – Report 

Lebanon duly qualified their first World Cup since 2000 with a comprehensive second leg win over South Africa at the Bosman Stadium, Brakpan, Pretoria. 

As in the first leg, Cedars winger Travis Robinson was the destroyer in chief with a second successive hat trick against the Rhinos, second rower Elias Sukker again the man of the match after another storming display, which saw Lebanon triumph 90-28 on aggregate. 

Lebanon captain Chris Saab commented: “This is the best day of my life. We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time and I hope every Lebanese person - as well as past and present players - have something to smile about.” 

James Boustani, who kicked seven goals from 10 attempts added: “It’s an amazing feeling; to see what Lebanon has gone through in the last few years, to achieve this for the country is fantastic. I am proud to have played and won for my brothers, my family and my country.” 

The players were joined in celebration by Lebanon Rugby League president Mohamad Habbous who said: “It still hasn’t sunk in yet, but we finally did it. This team, from the staff to the players, has been outstanding and worked so hard to achieve this World Cup qualification. I also want to thank the South African RL for being such incredible hosts and we look forward to further collaboration with them.” 

Full back Daniel Abou-Sleiman opened the scoring in only the second minute, Robinson following up with two quick tries as the visitors grasped an unassailable hold on the game. 

They led 28-6 at the break, their speed and organization at the play the ball constantly exploiting the South African defence along with Sukkar’s running. 

Mark Daoud scored on the left after the ball was spread and, following Marcell Viljoen’s sin binning on the half hour for a grapple tackle, Sukkar claimed a deserved try.

South Africa gained some reward for their effort with try by  winger Gideon Mzembe just before half time, Bradley Williams goaling. 

The home response was short-lived when, four minutes in to the second period, Robinson claimed his sixth try in a week, Rupert Wells replying but the Cedars confirmed the spoils with two tries in three minutes on the hour from Tarek El Masri and the elusive Boustani, who finished with 18 points. 

Nick Kassis brought up the half century for the visitors with their ninth try, Viljoen having the final say when he crossed for the ultimately out-gunned hosts. 

“The boys played to the game plan, a bit of it worked, but some of it we slipped up on,” Viljoen said. “We were out on a mission but some of us were over eager, we went in too hard; they caught us out. We are working on rugby league here, it’s a sport that’s growing in RSA. The boys are keen to play. Beating BARLA was a step up for us but this wasn’t a game we were used to but we feel we are putting the sport on the map here.” 

SOUTH AFRICA 16

Jason King, Gideon Mzembe, Johan Joubert, Jean Coetzer, Rupert Wells, Theo Rhodes, Bradley Williams, Jaice Terblanche, Marcell Viljoen, Rudolph Prinsloo, Dwayne Botma, Halvor Harris, Shane Gilham

Subs: Shuab Samaai, Louis Musson, Deon Kramer, Christo Louw 

Tries: Mzembe (36), Wells (54), Viljoen (76)

Goals: Williams 2/3 

LEBANON 50
Daniel Abou-Sleiman, Adham El Zbaidieh, Tarek El Masri, Chris Saab, Travis Robinson, Mark Daoud, James Boustani, Mitchell Mamary, Ali Allouche, Ricahrd Coorey, Elias Sukkar, Nick Kassis, Ahmad Ellaz

Subs: James Elias, Wael Harb, Robin Hachache, Ead Kassem 

Tries: Abou Sleiman (2), Robinson (11,19,44), Daoud (26), Sukkar (32), El Masri (60), Boustani (63), Kassis (74)

Goals: Boustani 7/10 

Half time: 6-28

Referee: Phil Bentham (England) 

PHIL CAPLAN     RLEF MEDIA OFFICER

Tel:  07850 719412  E-mail: phil.caplan@rlef.eu.com  Web: www.rlef.eu.com