By Rich Cowley, Updated: 14/11/17 (Photo Credit NRLPhotos)
Teams: Mate Ma’a Tonga v Lebanon Cedars
Venue: Christchurch Stadium, New Zealand
Date: Saturday November 18th 2017
TV Kick-off time: 5pm NZDT (Local Time)
Australia Kick-off time Sydney / Melbourne: Saturday, 18 November 2017 at 3:00:00 pm
Australia Kick-off time Brisbane: Saturday, 18 November 2017 at 2:00:00 pm
Tonga Kick-off time: Nukualofa (Tonga) Saturday, 18 November 2017 at 5:00:00 pm TOT
Lebanon Kick-off time: Beirut (Lebanon) Saturday, 18 November 2017 at 6:00:00 am EET
2017 RLWC TV viewing information: Channel 7 will broadcast all RLWC games in Australia on Free to Air TV and the 7mate App. BBC Will broadcast RLWC games across the UK. Sky Sports will Broadcast all RLWC matches in New Zealand. Fiji TV will Broadcast all matches RLWC matches across the Pacific Islands. EM TV will broadcast all RLWC matches across PNG. Astro will broadcast all RLWC matches across Malaysia. PCCW will broadcast all RLWC matches across Hong Kong. DAZN will broadcast all RLWC matches across Japan. OSN Sports will broadcast all matches across the Middle East. Fox Sports will broadcast all matches across the United States.
Overview: On Saturday evening the third quarter final gets underway when Mate Ma’a Tonga take on the Lebanon Cedars in Christchurch. Mate Ma’a Tonga finished first in Pool B while Lebanon finished 3rd in Pool A.
Mate Ma’a Tonga are three from three going into their Quarter Finals clash on Saturday after defeating Scotland 50 -4, Samoa 32 – 18 and claiming their biggest scalp to date New Zealand 28 – 22. Tonga are one of the form nations of the Rugby League World Cup and the win over the Kiwis might not be the last upset they cause before the World Cup finishes. Many rugby league fans are saying that Tonga have what it takes to go all the way to the World Cup final and win the tournament . If Mate Ma’a Tonga win on Saturday they will book a Semi Final place at Mt Smart Stadium Auckland against either England or PNG.
The Lebanon Cedars have only won their opening World Cup match against France 29 – 18. But to everyone’s surprise the Cedars put in big efforts against England going down 29 – 10 and also against the Kangaroos losing 34 – 0. The Cedars are going to have their work cut out going up against the form nation of the Rugby League World Cup. If Lebanon win history will be made and they will qualify for their first ever Rugby League World Cup Semi Final. If the Cedars do the unthinkable it will be another massive World Cup upset and they will meet either England or PNG in Auckland. If they lose their 2017 World Cup Campaign will come to an end.
Referee: Matt Cecchin
Touch Judges: Chris Kendall, Michael Wise
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton
Mate Ma’a Tonga v Lebanon Cedars teams 2017 RLWC Quarter Finals
Mate Ma’a Tonga 2017 RLWC Squad:
1 William HOPOATE
2 Daniel TUPOU
3 Michael JENNINGS
4 Konrad HURRELL
5 David FUSITU’A
6 Tuimoala LOLOHEA
7 Mafoa’aeata HINGANO
8 Andrew FIFITA
9 Sione KATOA
10 Sio Siua TAUKEIAHO
11 Manu MA’U
12 Sika MANU (c)
13 Jason TAUMALOLO
14 Siliva HAVILI
15 Sam MOA
16 Tevita PANGAI JNR
17 Ben MURDOCH-MASILA
18 Ukuma TA’AI
19 Joe OFAHENGAUE
20 Mahe FONUA
21 Samisoni LANGI
Lebanon Cedars 2017 RLWC Squad:
1 Anthony LAYOUN
2 Travis ROBINSON
3 James ELIAS
4 Adam DOUEIHI
5 Abbas MISKI
6 Mitchell MOSES
7 Robbie FARAH ©
8 Tim MANNAH
9 Michael LICHAA
10 Alex TWAL
11 Nick KASSIS Chris SAAB
12 Ahmad ELLAZ
13 Jamie CLARK
14 Mitchell MAMARY
15 Raymond MOUJALLI
16 Elias SUKKAR
17 Jason WEHBE
18 Andrew KAZZI
19 Chris SAAB
20 Bilal MAARBANI
