Pool Matches - Week 2: Lebanon v Ireland preview
No second prize as Lebanon, Ireland vie for second place
Lebanon and Ireland will look to secure a place in the Rugby League World Cup quarter finals in the defining match of Pool C in the early hours of Monday morning (Australian time).
Coming into the second week of the tournament following contrasting fortunes in their opening matches, the two nations will be acutely aware of the stakes with the victor likely to progress beyond the group stage into a final eight showdown against Australia.
Putting up a gallant effort during their opening match, Lebanon will be forced to make do without co-captain Adam Doueihi after the star playmaker was sent-off for dissent midway through last week's defeat.
Defying expectations during last week's 34-12 loss to New Zealand at Warrington, coach Michael Cheika has responded by elevating Canterbury-Bankstown lower-grader Khaled Rajab into the halves for the must-win encounter.
Sitting at the top of Pool C following a dominant opening round victory, Ireland will be eyeing off consecutive World Cup wins for the first time in 22 years.
Crossing for ten tries in a 48-2 demolition over Jamaica last week, coach Ged Corcoran will be relying heavily upon experienced playmakers Richie Myler and Luke Keary to create the attacking opportunities needed to give the Wolfhounds their first ever victory over the Cedars.
With points set to be at a premium in a more evenly-matched encounter, goal-kickers Ed Chamberlain and Joe Keyes will need to improve their accuracy after managing just four conversions combined last week.
Last meeting: 2009 European Cup - Lebanon 40 Ireland 16, Bridgend
Who to watch: Tasked with the responsibility of keeping the Cedar's World Cup hopes alive, Lebanon captain Mitchell Moses will be determined to showcase his class on the international stage. Riding an emotional wave personally and professionally over the past month, the 28-year-old halfback performed admirably in last week's defeat at the hands of the Kiwis with involvement in both of the side's tries. Set to take on even greater responsibility with co-captain Adam Doueihi unavailable through suspension, Moses will be fully aware that his side's chance of making it to the final eight rest exclusively on his shoulders.
Earning player of the match honours in his first appearance for Ireland last week, three-time premiership winner Luke Keary will be aiming to elevate the Wolfhounds into quarter finals for the first time in 22 years. Regarded among the premier halves playing in the either hemisphere, the 30-year-old is one of only four players in the World Cup to boast a Clive Churchill Medal - and the only representing a nation other than Australia. Finishing the NRL season with 22 try-assists - one behind league leader Mitchell Moses - Keary will need to be heavily involved to get Ireland over the line.
The favourite: Coming into the match as narrow favourites off the strength of their opening round victory, Ireland are expected to get the job done in a tightly-fought contest.
My tip: In a match set to be determined by the respective playmakers, history reveals Luke Keary has prevailed in five out of six previous meetings against Mitchell Moses. Ireland by 8.
