Cedars ready for first game
The Lebanese Cedars are looking forward to the challenge when they face hosts PNG Kumuls in their First Rugby League World Cup match.
The team led by NRL and West Tigers prop Alex Twal are ready to embrace the PNG rugby culture when they run out at the Santos National Football Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Twal said while it may be an away game for them, they are ready to experience the rugby league culture as alluded to them by fellow rugby league players, who have previously played in front of a passionate crowd.
“The boys have really embraced it, Papua New Guinea community has been amazing. The boys are loving being here because it’s their first time.”
“We're really looking forward to the occasion tomorrow and embracing the culture and the rest of the country,” Twal said.
Similar to the Kumuls, the Cedars finished as quarterfinalists in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.
Head coach Michael Cheika said this was an important task for them going up against a team backed by their supporters.
“It's a really big occasion, not only for the players, but for their families. We need to focus on our game, get ourselves ready to go and be ready to play our style of footy, and then just have the capacity and the desire to do that for 80 minutes.”
Meanwhile, the visiting side have also engaged the services of Papua New Guinean born turned Australian Wallabies 110 test capped player Will Genia as trainer in their Rugby League World Cup campaign.
Cheika said engaging Genia in this campaign has been a big boost for the team, and has also helped them adapt and understand the culture and rugby passion in PNG since their arrival.
“It’s very important for us to have Willy G (Genia), and an opportunity for players to touch base with their heritage and have him here with us.”
“He is from here, but I've also got a long-standing relationship with him. He's a great person and has been brilliant for us and the boys at training, such an unreal experience,” Cheika added.
The Cedars take on PNG Kumuls tomorrow at the National Football Stadium, Kicking off at 2:25pm.