RLWC 2022 | Pool C – Lebanon 74 Jamaica 12 Match Centre

Rugby League World Cup is in the final stages of the group stage with Pool C action featuring Lebanon v Jamaica, a game that features a side loved by all, and possibly the best team from outside tier one and the Pacific at the World Cup so far.

Our Group C Lebanon v Jamaica Match Centre has a preview, stats, team lists before the game and a summary of the match afterwards. More than you could ever need or want.

If you want more information on all the squads – follow this link here.

LEBANON v JAMAICA Match Summary

Lebanon showed they are a growing rugby league force with a 74-12 thrashing of minnow Jamaica, who at least kept the crowd entertained with two tries.

The game started in sensational fashion as Jamaica not only regathered the short kick off, but looked to have scored the first try in the first minute. A perfect cross field kick was caught cleanly but was judged by the video referee not to have got the ball down.

But Jamaica were still on top and on fire for a minnow, forcing an error out of Lebanon in their own half, and forcing a drop out. Jamaica went close again without scoring, three decent attacking raids in the first five minutes, but had put Lebanon on notice that they were here to be competitive, in attack anyway.

But sadly how things happen sometime, Lebanon scored with the very next set. Mitchell Moses made the line break down the right and had Michael Tannous on the inside in support who finished the job. Moses converted for 6-0.

A minute and a failed short kick off later and Lebanon were 12-0 in front. Abbas Miski cut back inside of a Number 18 pass and he powered through the Jamaican line with ease. Lebanon went further ahead with their next set when Elie El-Zakham scored after a line break from Adam Doueihi. After 13 minutes Lebanon were 18-0, despite only having the ball once in the first five minutes.

Veteran Lebanon centre Reece Robinson joined the scoring list with their next set, the try being set up with 12 / 18 on the left side this time. Lebanon had now scored with four consecutive sets and led 24-0 after 16 minutes.

Jamaica proved they were a match with the ball against Lebanon in the period after the whirlwind four tries, with some enterprising play. But in the 23rd minute they also proved that their defence wasn’t up to scratch as Khaled Rajab scored after supporting a Adam Doueihi line break. Doueihi was playing at fullback and causing carnage of the Jamaican defence.

The sixth try for Lebanon came Charbel Tasipale not long after, with a move down the left and Abbas Miski showing some great skills to get a ball away while being forced over the sideline and Tasipale was in support to score. Lebanon were well ahead of the point-a-minute at 36-0 after just 27 minutes.

Josh Mansour got on the board in the 31st minute, with the easy try being set up to the right through the trio of star Lebanon players on the day – Moses, Rajab and Doueihi. 42-0 the score was, and that’s how it remained as what felt like a bit or mercy for Jamaica and the game. What also might help Jamaica in the second half is when Lebanon’s Jaxson Rahme was sent to the sin bin for a late shot on the Jamaican halfback.

HALF TIME – LEBANON 42 JAMAICA 0

Despite being a player down Lebanon opened the second half scoring as Adam Doueihi broke through the Lebanon line again, and scored himself this time. He also kicked the conversion as Mitchell Moses was put on ice for the second half and became a spectator.

The next score lit up the Leigh Sports Village as Jamaica scored their first try of the match. Jamaican winger Mo Agoro scooped up a loose ball from Lebanon and showed plenty of speed to run the 70 metres to score. There was also a really skillful piece of soccer skills shown at pace before he kicked the ball. It wasn’t goign to be a game-changing score but was enjoyed by all none-the-less. The score was now 46-6 after 51 minutes.

But it didn’t take long for Lebanon to extend the score as second rower Charbel Tasipale scored his second try of the game with the final pass from Khaled Rajab rebounding off an intercept attempt.

Things for Jamaica got slightly worse when Michael Lawrence was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, after a Khaled Rajab break had Lebanon pressuring the Jamaican line. A penalty later and Khaled Rajab had set up another try with a bullet like cut out to Tony Maroun who scored in the corner. The score was now 58-6 and Jamaica were still one player down.

And they cracked 60 not long after as Josh Mansour picked up a ball that hit a Jamaican player’s chest and the winger showed pelnty of speed to run the 60 metres needed untouched. 

Not long after some sensation, Jamaica had score while a player down. The try came after a grubber close to the line by hooker Jy-mel Coleman was chased best by interchange forward Jordan Andrade.

The game finished with a try for each winger as Josh Mansour secured a hat trick and Abbas Miski a double. Both tries were set up by Adam Doueihi and the second one to Miski is one well worth checking out with Doueihi showcasing some magic soccer skills. The two tries brough the final score to 74-12.

Lebanon were outstanding with the ball with the spine of Moses, Doueihi and Rajab were all sensational. Australia may not have it all their own way in the knockout stages. Jamaica for their part were quite good in attack, and need to toughen up that defence to be more competitive next time. They played with enough flair to entertain, so that will do us for now.

LEBANON v JAMAICA Final Score

LEBANON 74
Tries: Michael Tannous 5′ Abbas Miski 8′ Elie El-Zakham 11′ Reece Robinson 14′ Khaled Rajab 22′ Charbel Tasipale 26′ Josh Mansour 31′ Adam Doueihi 44′ Charbel Tasipale 54′ Tony Maroun 58′ Josh Mansour 61′ Josh Mansour 70′ Abbas Miski 79′
Goals: Mitchell Moses 7 Adam Doueihi 4

JAMAICA 12
Tries: Mo Agoro 49′ Jordan Andrade 66′
Goals: James Woodburn-Hall 1 Kieran Rush 1

LEBANON v JAMAICA Player of the Match

3 Pts – Adam Doueihi
2 Pts – Khaled Rajab 
1 Pt – Mitchell Moses

LEBANON v JAMAICA Match Stats

LEBANON v JAMAICA Teams

LEBANON

6 Adam Doueihi
2 Josh Mansour
4 Brad Morkos
16 Reece Robinson
5 Abbas Miski
18 Khaled Rajab
7 Mitchell Moses

13 James Roumanos
9 Michael Tannous
19 Khalil Rahme
11 Elie El-Zakham
12 Charbel Tasipale
15 Andrew Kazzi

14 Anthony Layoun
17 Jalal Bazzaz
20 Jaxson Rahme
22 Tony Maroun

JAMAICA

1 Ben Jones-Bishop
2 Mo Agoro
4 Jacob Ogden
5 Alex Young
18 Abevia McDonald
6 James Woodburn-Hall
7 Kieran Rush

8 Khamisi McKain
9 Jy-mel Coleman
10 Michael Lawrence
12 Joel Farrell
16 Keenen Tomlinson
13 Ashton Golding

3 Joe Brown
11 AJ Wallace
15 Jordan Andrade
22 Chevaughn Bailey

LEBANON v JAMAICA Preview

Table: W/D/L/F/A/FA/Pts

Lebanon should win and win well in their final game of the group stage to seal a very successful start to this year’s rugby league World Cup. They were competitive against New Zealand and thrashed Ireland, and in our opinion have been the best minnow of the tournament so far. Australia most likely await in the knockout, and that will be as far as they go, but there’s plenty to build on.

While Mitchel Moses will take the plaudits, and our Playe of the Match from our Match Summary v Italy, we have been super impressed with Jacob Kiraz at the back.

The Lebanon forward pack haven’t been too bad either, holding their own against the Kiwis and dominating Italy in their last game.

Hopefully for their sake they can keep Michael Cheijka at the helm to develop them into a comepttive force among the second tier nations.

Jamaica, despite the heavy losses have been very entertaining. Even though they were being well beaten against New Zealand they continued to throw the Kiwis off with their (quite successful) short kick offs and left field attacking options. Like most of the minnows, their defence doesn’t hold up for the whole 80 minutes, but there always seems like something is going to happen with Jamaica with the ball. Hopefully there’s another crowd pleasing score for them.

Some will question whether having Jamaica at the Rugby League World Cup is good for them, and we say it is to a degree, but perhaps Jamaica and other similar level minnows could benefit from a slightly different format that sees them playing more teams of their own strength for confidence rather than getting belted every game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mitchell Moses is a given, he doesn’t allow you to miss his work, but Adam Doueihi should return for the clash after sitting in the naughty corner for referee abuse, and he was excellent for Lebanon before his send off, so he might have even more to prove.

For Jamaica, the fullback Ben Jones-Bishop scored a hugely successful try, but had plenty to offer throughout.

PREDICTION

Lebanon 50 Jamaica 6

LEBANON v JAMAICA RLWC2021 Pre Match Stats

Here are the best of the stats from the season so far.

LEBANON v JAMAICA Pre Match Stats