Rugby League World Cup rocked by robbery as “sensitive information” stolen and team gear taken

Lebanon’s World Cup didn’t get off to the best start.

In the game against New Zealand at 18-12, the Cedars collapsed due to some Joey Manu magic and a red card for star halfback Adam Doueihi for “foul and abusive language” towards the match official.

He copped a one-match ban which he appealed twice to no avail ahead of their must win clash against Ireland last Sunday at Leigh Sports Village.

However, a Mitchell Moses masterclass saw them defeat Ireland leaving them on the cusp of a quarter-final clash against Australia next week.

They only need to pick up a win over Jamaica on Sunday to secure that exciting clash in which Moses can test himself against the halfbacks who were picked ahead of him.

So, it’s been an up and down tournament for Lebanon and it hit another downer last night when it was reported by the Daily Telegraph that police were called to their team hotel on after laptops containing sensitive information were stolen alongside team gear including their playing strip.

At one point there were even concerns that they may be forced to have to find another playing kit for their crucial final group game against Jamaica on Sunday which could see them secure that place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

However, according to the Daily Telegraph, sources have confirmed some of the gear, including their playing strip, was bizarrely found on a local building site.

It is also understood they are scouring CCTV footage hoping to identify those responsible.

It is also said that coach Michael Cheika received support from Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga amid rumours that he could take up a potential switch to the NRL.

The two will butt heads in the quarter-finals should Cheika get his side through this incident and to victory against Jamaica.