Ireland’s hopes of making the quarter-finals of the World Cup were all but ended by defeat to Lebanon today with the first 30 minutes of dominance from a Mitchell Moses inspired Lebanon side proving too much.
Highlights:
Offloads galore
One of the tries of the tournament saw Lebanon keep the ball alive with a number offloads in mid field before the ball was shifted out wide to Reece Robinson to finish in the corner.
🇱🇧 Lebanon hit the front through Reece Robinson and follow it up three minutes later with a Kiraz try!
How good is this Robinson score?#RLWC2021 | @BBCSport | @LebanonRL | #LEBIRE pic.twitter.com/iYEhIncBwR
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 23, 2022
Moses parts the sea
If that was a lovely unstructured try, this was lovely structure. The Cedars popped the ball left then back across the ruck to Mitchell Moses whose inside ball saw Kiraz go through to score.
One-on-ones
Clearly part of their game plan, you won’t see as many one-on-one offloads as we saw in today’s game as Lebanon clearly planned to steal the ball away from Ireland as much as possible which helped the mount more pressure onto Ireland.
Short drop-out gone wrong
Because of that pressure, Ireland looked for a way out and went for a short drop out which backfired and saw Morkos skirt round the defence for a simple try.
Senior’s sensational finish
The Senior twins are no strangers to tries and we saw Louis Senior saw that clinical finishing touch from Hull KR bound Louis Senior. After a lovely cut out pass from Luke Keary, he dived in for a superb try. He then made it a brace in the second half as Ireland hoped to mount a comeback.
☘️ A tough first half for Ireland but they get themselves on the board with a brilliant finish from Louis Senior!#RLWC2021 | @Irelandrl | @BBCSport | #LEBIRE pic.twitter.com/0xzRy9lbTL
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 23, 2022
Miski sees off Ireland’s effort
However, two tries in the second half saw Lebanon wrap up the win and their fifth try came from Wigan’s Abbas Miski who showed great power to squeeze in at the corner.
🇱🇧 You don't stop Abbas Miski from there!
Lebanon work the ball wide and score their 5th of the afternoon to take control of the game.#RLWC2021 | @BBCSport | @LebanonRL | #LEBIRE pic.twitter.com/swFhOTmUhG
— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 23, 2022
Leigh Leopards hero scores in Leigh
On his home ground, Ed Chamberlain scored a simple scrum try again with Luke Keary with the assist.
Huddersfield Giants
“Get rid of the…” – Super League star calls for major Challenge Cup change
Leigh Leopards
Reports: Leigh Leopards exit could lead to huge signing
