Rugby may be slated to return to the Olympic Games in 2016, but last weekend the sport made an appearance at the International Olympic Stadium, in Tripoli, where Lebanon’s national rugby league team took on the boys from Italy. It was a slug-fest (aren’t they all?), and a lopsided one at that: Lebanon won, 86-0.
Still, it was a pretty wild night. Rugby “league” (as opposed to Rugby union) is something of a second-tier enterprise — there are 13 players to a side, instead of 15, and very little emphasis on the “scrum,” which is the primary reason (the word, not the act) that I enjoy talking about rugby. Still, it’s professional, and to its partisans, league is a much more action-packed version of the sport.
Indeed, over the course of the night, the action only stopped one time when, halfway through the exhibition match (Lebanon versus Saudi Arabia under-16s), the power in the stadium went out. We sat in the dark, a few thousand of us, for a full half an hour. Welcome to Lebanon, Italy! It’s episodes like this that inspired a columnist for Sky Sports to describe the match as the “most exciting and expansive game” in the European Cup. (Also: Welcome to Lebanon, Lebanon! The Lebanon team is composed almost entirely of Australians of Lebanese descent. There are five “domestics” on the roster.)
I wish I could tell you how the game went, but once the electricity came back on (and a friend arrived with a resupply of beer), I seem to have lost my concentration. If you’re in it for the details, take a look at this account from an experienced rugby reporter on the scene, which purports to describe the events on the field, but largely appears to be in a foreign language. (”Jamie Clark extended the lead, John Koborsi driving the ball in and offloading to Ndeira whose flick back on the inside sent his hooker over, Ndeira’s conversion – one of 12 – bringing up the half century.”)
All I know is that at the very end, Italy seemed to have some sort of free kick, a virtually guaranteed point or three, and they missed. Then again, perhaps the real miracle is that they showed up at all: last week, against Scotland, Italy lost 104-0.
Jeff Baxter says:
You struggled to understand that description? Funny you don't come across as thick. Maybe disingenuous will have to do. If you don't like it don't watch it. Is that really that difficult?
Joshua Hersh says:
Well, I don't mind admitting I struggled to understand the sport -- I've only watched it once. But I hope you see that I picked on that account not because it was poorly written or grammatically incorrect, but because it was chock full of jargon (hooker!) that I didn't recognize. I'm a rugby dilettante, this much is true. Anyway, the game itself was quite fun to attend. I'm sure it would have been more fun if I knew what the heck was going on.
Daniel says:
A Rugby fan (of either code) who doesn't know what a hooker is? Blimey!
Still, if you quite enjoyed it, take in a few games in Lebanon's domestic competition. It might grow on you. Their national team comes in two guises; the Cedars, who are a mixture of domestic and expatriot players amd Liban Espoir, which is entirely made up of players from the Lebanese Rugby League. http://www.lebrl.com/
J says:
Lame article. Rugby league is not the same sport as rugby union or rugby sevens (the one included in the Olympics). It's like saying a game of baseball is cricket.
Ian Golden says:
I'm glad you enjoyed the game Joshua and I'm guessing that it was your first real experience of rugby of either kind. I hope you get to see more in your country when your domestic league starts again or even go to www.superleague.co.uk to see some online highlights. Feel free to get in touch with me if you need anything or if you're coming over to watch Lebanon play in Wales next week, I've always been a big fan of Lebanese Rugby League and helped to host Liban Espoirs when they came to Wales a few years ago.