Chaos and eventually Lebanon reigned in a fiery 32-14 win over Ireland that featured three sinbins and a player being sent to hospital, as Michael Cheika’s plan to coach two national teams in two different codes on the one weekend is set to become a reality.
Lebanon’s win keeps the Cedars on track for a November 4 quarter-final clash with Australia provided they account for Rugby League World Cup newcomers Jamaica and New Zealand finish off the Irish campaign.
Cheika is due to coach the Argentinian rugby outfit against England two days after the likely quarter-final against the Kangaroos.
The former Wallabies coach has long mapped out contingencies with both camps to manage the unique cross-code coaching challenge, now closer than ever after an impressive five tries-to-three win in Leigh.
Following mention of “bad blood” between the two sides by Irish coach Ged Corcoran in the lead-up, tensions boiled over on halftime with an all-in skirmish that ended with Ireland prop Robbie Mulhern and Lebanon lock Jalal Bazzaz being sin-binned.
That scuffle was preceded by a high shot on Lebanese prop Kayne Kalache from Titans and Irish forward Jaimin Jollife.
Kalache took no further part in the match and was later to taken to hospital as Cheika took issue with only a penalty being awarded over the incident.
“I was a little bit disappointed about that whole thing,” Cheika said.
“We had a player sent off for saying something to the referee. [Kalache] takes a shoulder fair and square to the head and nothing happens, and our player ends up going to hospital. Go figure.
“He’s OK – it was mostly precautionary, [but] he’ll have to go through really strict protocols to get him back up.”
Mitchell Moses produced a vital man-of-the-match performance for Lebanon.Credit:Getty
Cheika said a second heavy head knock on Lebanon fullback Jacob Kiraz had not adversely affected the rising Bulldogs flyer, who simply “loves a bit of drama”.
Kalache was also involved in another early flashpoint when Irish forward James Bentley emerged from a tackle by Kalache and Andrew Kazzi complaining of a squirrel grip in the eighth minute.
Referee Adam Gee did not sanction either player and replays of the incident afterwards were inconclusive.
Irish prop Liam Byrne was also sin-binned for a late shot on Moses, who steered the Cedars superbly with Adam Doueihi serving a one-game suspension for dissent.
Lebanon gave several nods Cheika’s rugby roots with five one-on-one steals proving pivotal as they established a 20-0 halftime lead.
Spirits were high among Lebanon’s vocal contingent of fans now a victory over Jamaica – already beaten by margins of 62 and 46 this tournament – with Cheika laughing off an offer of a mid-game glass of wine from an exuberant supporter.
“I’m a bit of a dampener, unfortunately,” he said when pressed on the prospect of progression from the pool stages and taking on the Kangaroos.
“I’ve been to too many of these things -–World Cups, European Cup – it’s not done until it’s done. The minute you think it’s done, someone will come and take it off you.”
Lebanon players and fans celebrate afterwards.Credit:Getty
Moses was more forthcoming after gifting his man-of-the-match award to a young fan in the crowd “because he was wearing a Parramatta jersey”.
“It’s massive for everyone, everyone back at home, everyone in Lebanon,” he said.
“We’re leaving all of our families for however long, to make sacrifices to show everything for their family and this jersey.
“If we can get the job done next week it’ll mean a lot but we’ve got to get the job done.”
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