CEDARS IN COUNTRY TO PROVE A POINT

THE Lebanese national rugby league team, the LEBANON Cedars arrived at the Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport yesterday for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener this Saturday.

LEBANON, inspired by NRL bignames in Jacob Kiraz, Alex Twal, Tony Francis, Tupou Francis, Jason Sabb, Michael Gabrael and Jordan Samrani are looking for a strong match-up and opener at the National Football Stadium.

Meanwhile, PNG Kumuls are training hard to give the warmest welcome to the visitors this Saturday. Coach Jason Demetriou has named his strongest possible line-up to contain the Cedars.

The Kumuls have named two new players to don the Black, Red and Gold in their 2026 Rugby League World Cup opening clash against the Cedars, this weekend.

Head coach Jason Demetriou is adamant to start former Canterbury Bulldogs playmaker and New Zealand Warriors-bound Bailey Biondi-Odo and Parramatta Eels forward Luca Moretti to take on the Lebanon this Saturday at the National Football Stadium.

New Kumul Bailey Biondi-Odo will partner with Gairo Voro at the halves while, Luca Moretti to start at the prop-forward together with Valentine Richard.

The French Women’s National team also arrived yesterday to take on the PNG Orchids.