Captain Robbie Farah is set to start at halfback for Lebanon in their opening World Cup match against France after leading the Cedars to a 32-16 defeat of Niue at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night.
Captain Robbie Farah is set to start at halfback for Lebanon in their opening World Cup match against France after leading the Cedars to a 32-16 defeat of Niue at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night.
With Parramatta playmaker Mitchell Moses and prop Tim Mannah rested for the warm-up match, Farah partnered South Sydney club mate Adam Doueihi in the halves, while recently re-signed Canterbury star shared the dummy half duties with Auburn Warriors hooker Jamie Clark.
The Cedars led 6-0 at quarter time after a converted 17th minute try by fullback Anthony Layoun and went further ahead in the 24th minute when Doueihi put Newcastle centre James Elias over with a perfectly timed pass.
Former Eels junior Jason Wehbe, who had a stint playing rugby union in Japan, staked his claim for inclusion in the team to play France at Canberra Stadium on 29 October with a perfectly weighted cross-field kick for Manly Under 20s premiership winger Bilal Maarbani to score.
Wehbe later crossed for a try himself after Farah sliced through the defence, while Blacktown Workers forward Nick Kassis and North Sydney Bears winger Abbas Miski also scored for Lebanon in the second half.
Lebanon 32 (Layoun, Elias, Maarbani, Miski, Wehbe, Kassis tries; Doueihi 2/2, Maarbani 2/2, Miski 0/2 goals) defeated Niue 16 (Hunt, Schaumkel, Lolo tries; Lolo 1/2, Seini 1/1 goals)
