| Lebanon (20) 32 |
| Tries: Robinson, Kiraz, Morkos, El-Zakhem, Miski Targets: Moses 6 |
| Eire (4) 14 |
| Tries: L Senior 2, Chamberlain Objective: Chamberlain |
Lebanon are in pole place to make the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals after a 32-14 win over Eire.
Tries from Reece Robinson, Jacob Kiraz and Brandon Morkos helped the dominant Cedars right into a 20-4 lead on the break.
Louis Senior’s second attempt gave Eire hope however Lebanon hit again with Elie El-Zakhem and Abbas Miski tries earlier than a late Ed Chamberlain attempt for Eire.
Either side have two factors however Lebanon face backside aspect Jamaica within the ultimate recreation whereas Eire meet New Zealand.
It could take a vastly improved efficiency from Eire to have an opportunity of overcoming the group leaders after being comfortably crushed by a formidable Lebanon aspect in Leigh.
Lebanon ran in 5 tries with Mitchell Moses changing all however one and they’re now anticipated to affix the Kiwis within the final eight.
They took management – helped by Irish ill-discipline – after a good and tense opening quarter-hour with a Moses penalty adopted by Robinson ending a slick passing transfer by sliding in on the nook.
A no-look Moses cross set Kiraz free to run straight by means of for the second attempt earlier than Morkos was launched by Josh Mansour to go over for the third.
Eire had been 20-0 behind with simply over half-hour gone however they completed the primary half strongly.
A video assessment noticed a knock-on after Robbie Mulhern grounded the ball, however the Wolfhounds scored a attempt seconds later as Senior collected a Luke Keary cross earlier than getting in on the nook.
A melee simply earlier than the break resulted in yellow playing cards for Mulhern and Lebanon’s Jalal Bazzaz.
Eire pressed on the restart and when Senior crossed with ease for a transformed attempt on 48 minutes, simply 10 factors separated the perimeters and the fightback was on.
Nonetheless, it was quickly snuffed out as Lebanon regrouped with El-Zakhem going over within the nook after good work from Moses.
A set play from Lebanon ended with Kiraz feeding Miski and the Wigan winger was free to go over unopposed.
Liam Byrne was sin-binned for a late sort out on Moses, earlier than Keary arrange Chamberlain to dash down the wing for Eire’s third attempt with two minutes left.
Eire end their Group C video games in opposition to New Zealand on Friday, with Lebanon in motion in opposition to Jamaica two days later.
Lebanon: Kiraz; Mansour, Morkos, Robinson, Miski; Rajeb, Moses; Kalache, Kazzi, Okay Rahme, El-Zakhem, Tasipale, Roumanos.
Interchanges: Bazazz, Layoun, Maarbani, J Rahme.
Eire: Myler; L Senior, Chamberlain, T King, I Senior; Keary, Keyes; Byrne, O’Hagan, Jolliffe, Bentley, Halton, G King.
Interchanges: Cook dinner, Rushton, Mulhern, Hasson.