The First international this weekend

By Daniel Andruczyk

With the Unfortunate news that Japan and Portugal had to cancel their international due to a lack of players being released from their clubs, we receive the great news that Lebanon have started their international campaign this week.

Middle East

Yes that is correct, the Lebanon U16’s flew out on the 13th of January to Doha, Qatar to take on a Qatar schools select (read article). This is the same team that played the Saudi Arabian team in Tripoli last year in October and its great to see them continue the development in the Middle East.

• Lebanon Under 16s
  Sami Assaf (Balamand High School)
  George Bejjani (Balamand High School)
  Radwan El Chab (Lycee Achrafieh)
  Mohamed Al Dennawi (Beqarzla High School, Akkar)
  Remy Daccache (Lycee Achrafieh)
  Alexandre Latouf (Collège Notre Dame de Nazareth, Beirut)
  Mourtaz Mrad (Balamand High School)
  Jad Obeid (Balamand High School)
  Ibrahim Al Omran (Kfarhabou High School, Al Minieh, North Lebanon)
  Houssam Kalouch (Emir Fakhreldine School, Tripoli)
  Hilal Kardooni (Emir Fakhreldine School, Tripoli)
  Mohamed Rifai (Zeheriyeh Boys, Tripoli)
  Andreas Zachariou (Balamand High School)
  Joseph Zeidan (Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour)
  Wael Tahach (Zeheriyeh Boys, Tripoli)
  Head Coach: Hatem Hanna (Beqarzla High School, Akkar)
• Assistant Coaches: Nader Moughait (Zeheriyeh Boys, Tripoli) Ryan Tout (Emir Fakhreldine School, Tripoli)
  Manager: Nagibe Hamzieh (Kfarhabou High School, Al Minieh, North Lebanon)

Pacific Islands

Fiji with its Semi-final appearence in 2008 has recieved a further welcome boost from the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF). They have got a $100,000 grant (article). The RLIF representative, David Nissen says that “should help improve the level of rugby league in the country.”

Northern Ireland

Some news about Rugby League in Northern Ireland in 2010. First May Bank Holiday weekend with the NI 9s id the season opener and is planned for Belfast this year and will include invitational sides from England and Scotland. Domestic league fixtures will run through May and June, with the finals in July. 7 rounds with another couple of teams. Inter-provincial and all-Ireland club games are planned and RLI and RFL are to fund training courses for coaches and referees.

Japan in Australia

Back to the Japanese, they will still be touring Australia and will be playing in the International 9’s tournament. This is probably better for them as it will give them more than one game to play in against various opponents. Should be good experience for them.

Daniel Andruczyk’s email: info@rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com