Lebanon, Syria and Ukraine field rugby league teams despite war, players say they want to ‘give people hope’

Last Sunday in Sydney, Syria staged friendlies at Bankstown Bulls while Lebanon beat France in a dramatic World Cup match at CommBank Stadium, and earlier in the week Ukraine played a European Championship fixture in Belgrade, with players from all three countries saying they wanted to “give people hope” and to represent their homelands amid conflict.

Players and officials described the matches as acts of national representation as well as sport. Prop Jalal Bazzaz, who played in all three of Lebanon’s World Cup games, said: "Our last game together was in England in 2022. So our aim was just to be good each week. We talked about giving back to where we come from, our roots. It's in our blood. To put on that jersey, represent my country and put Lebanon on the world stage – it gives people something to smile about, a bit of hope." Michael Cheika’s spell as Lebanon head coach ended last Sunday after the win over France.

Lebanon’s victory over France suggested to observers that the team remain among the sport’s top eight on performance, although the country’s official ranking is lower because of inactivity since the previous World Cup. Lebanon were without Mitchell Moses, Adam Doueihi and other NRL players through injury, which created opportunities for uncapped and younger players to step up.

Canterbury Bulldogs prospect Alex Conti, previously uncapped and aged 20, emerged as a standout in the group stage and was praised after a noted duel with France’s Arthur Mourgue; he was partnered by St George youngster Shadi Hammoud. “I don't even know what club he plays for,” admitted Chieka after his final game in charge. Hammoud said: “I wear the Cedar on my chest with honour. I’m representing my family and everyone who moved over to Australia to give us a better life. It’s a little way to repay them for that.”

Lebanon’s domestic game halted after the Beirut port explosion in 2020 and is only now beginning to restart with initiatives including a rugby nines tournament and a referees course at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. Having lost their IRL full-member status, Lebanon are unlikely to be at the 2030 World Cup unless the IRL moves its March 2027 deadline for qualifier consideration; "It's quite upsetting," said Bazzaz. "All these younger guys coming through can't experience what I've experienced the last two World Cups. That's quite sad, but hopefully we can get back on track."

Syria and Lebanon share connections in the Heritage RL network and many players are eligible for both nations; the article cites UN figures that nearly seven million displaced Syrians have fled the country and more than a million refugees have settled in Lebanon. Abdul Nabhan, president of Syria Rugby League, said the organisation has rapidly grown in Australia: "Our first training session, we had two players there – now we are getting over 100." He added: "We have Syrian players in France contacting us, but we’re not in a position to bring them across yet. We have kids from 15s up, as well as a girl’s team and women’s. The majority have Syrian grandparents but some have parents too. We have some girls who are close to NRLW and we have boys in New South Wales Cup. Our relationship with Lebanon is great. They’ve been through what we’re going through now."

Nabhan said he is pursuing observer member status with the IRL as a step toward official internationals and that rugby league is being introduced to Syria itself with a new competition and university participation. "They’ve signed up to play a local competition, but obviously it’s taking longer because of what’s happening," he said. "It’s not very stable. Rugby union is very big there and we have some players going across to Syria this week to play in the Asia Cup. But, because rugby league is so big in Australia, we are getting there. There’s been a lot of traction the last few months. For us to have done what we’ve done in four years is incredible."

At Bankstown, a local man of Syrian heritage whose nephew was playing on the wing described the symbolism: “The whole thing – representing your country, your family, your people – it’s beautiful,” he said. Syria were beaten 36-6 by the Ozzy Cooks after conceding three tries in the first eight minutes; there were audible curses under the posts and Arabic shouts from the touchline, where Nabhan’s wife Amanda, the team manager, and their daughter, who has played for Lebanon’s women’s team, were present.

Ukraine have continued to play regularly in recent years and were ranked as high as 10th in the world before a surprise defeat by the Netherlands in Belgrade last month cost them the Euro B title; since the invasion they have recorded wins over Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Czechia. "My dad came over in the 1980s and people are still coming," said Bazzaz. "They’ve been through hell and back over there. So we’ll have a lot of more coming through."

Lebanon’s long-term international prospects are now tied to the IRL timeline: unless the March 2027 deadline for consideration for the 2030 qualifiers is altered, Lebanon will not meet that requirement and are unlikely to be part of the 2030 World Cup qualifying process.