Arabic version: تشيكا يصف مباراة لبنان أمام فرنسا بأنها «النهائي الكبير»

According to BBC News, Michael Cheika will treat Lebanon’s final 2026 Rugby League World Cup match against France on Sunday as a “Grand Final”, despite the Cedars being unable to reach the knockout stages.

Lebanon, coached by the 59-year-old Australian, lost their opening two matches to Papua New Guinea and Tonga. Cheika led the Cedars to the quarter-finals four years ago, but said the France fixture at 06:50 GMT remained a finals-style occasion for his side.

Cheika, who was born to Lebanese migrants, said the opportunity to represent Lebanon on the world stage carries particular importance. He said people in Lebanon, including his relatives, are watching and that the team can “fly the flag” for those connected to the country.

He linked Lebanon’s rugby league connection to the experience of Lebanese migrants in Australia, including his father, who settled near Redfern Oval after arriving in 1950. Cheika said working-class Lebanese migrants connected strongly with rugby league as they integrated into the local community.

Cheika has coached in both rugby union and rugby league, winning the Heineken Cup with Leinster in 2009 and a title with the Waratahs in 2014. After coaching Leicester Tigers in the 2024-25 season, he is due to return to the Waratahs for next year’s Super Rugby campaign. He said he hopes to continue moving between the two codes.