Nick Davis and Will Genia help coach Lebanon for Rugby League World Cup
Wests Tigers forward Alex Twal will captain the Cedars for the first time, returning after injury ruled him out of the 2022 tournament.
Lebanon’s Rugby League World Cup preparations have brought together former AFL player Nick Davis and ex-Wallabies half Will Genia as coaching assistants, with Alex Twal set to lead the team in its opener against PNG in Port Moresby.
Davis, a member of Sydney Swans’ 2005 premiership team, is serving as kicking coach. He and Genia assisted head coach Michael Cheika at a public training session and fan day at Langlands Park, alongside new NSW Blues coach Matt King and former Lebanon and Wests Tigers player Robbie Farah.
Twal said he felt humbled to learn from the coaching group. The Wests Tigers player of the year last represented Lebanon at the 2017 World Cup and missed the 2022 competition because of injury.
The Cedars made the quarter-finals at both tournaments. This campaign they are without five-eighth Adam Doueihi through injury, while half Mitchell Moses is representing Australia.
Twal said representing his heritage was important to him, noting that his mother was born in Lebanon. He said passion would underpin the team’s approach. Farah backed his appointment as captain, saying Twal had developed into a strong leader.
