Post by sportsmad on Aug 29, 2009 11:57:25 GMT 10
Hazem El Masri set for Lebanon farewell
HAZEM El Masri is weighing up a unique chance to farewell rugby league in his Lebanese birthplace of Tripoli.
While a lap of honour around ANZ Stadium on October 4 shapes as the ultimate send-off, Lebanon officials recently approached El Masri about a sentimental footballing goodbye in his family's homeland.
Cedars coach John Elias last night revealed he had held several discussions with El Masri about making the 15,000km journey to the Middle East for a one-off European Cup tie against Russia on October 24.
"Hazem played in our first game on Lebanese soil against France in 2002 and it's something I know he'd dearly love to do again,'' Elias said.
"It would be such a fitting farewell for him - playing his final game in the town where he was born.''
El Masri has also been offered the team's captaincy and the chance to finish off in the position he started playing rugby league: fullback.
The 33-year-old will play his final Bulldogs home game tomorrow, with more than 40,000 fans expected to pay tribute at Olympic Park.
El Masri said the Lebanese offer was in the back of his mind as he prepares to tackle the Warriors, but will reserve a decision until after the Bulldogs' season is over.
"I've spoken to John, and it's something I'd love to do,'' El Masri said. "It's always interesting going back to Lebanon, but I've told John I just can't make a call at present.
"The main concern is that I need to see how my body holds up afterthe season and there's also a few things to work out with what I'm doing after football.
"I'm still talking to NRL and the Bulldogs about the work I'm going to do, so I've got to sort that out.
"I'd like to have one more game in Tripoli, but I just don't want to make a promise yet when I don't know if I can keep it.''
El Masri captained the Lebanese team just a month after making his one and only appearance for Australia in late 2002. He booted six goals in the 36-6 thumping of the French in a game that attracted almost 10,000 curious fans to the Tripoli International Stadium.
"It was a great occasion for Hazem, not only because of Tripoli, but because it was the very first game his mum had ever watched him play live,'' Elias said.
"Having him there meant a lot to the local competition in Lebanon. The people knew who he was and his farewell game this weekend has made news over there.''
The Lebanese team is rebuilding after narrowly missing World Cup qualification last year and hope to also boast Robbie Farah and Jarryd Saffy for the tournament.
Officials recently secured two sponsors - Luxbet.com and Guardian Security - to help fund their European Cup campaign, which also includes a clash against Scotland in early November.
Victory will set up a chance to join Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain as the fourth team in the 2011 Quad-Nations.
Elias said he was also aiming to play a Test match at Parramatta Stadium against either the Kiwis or Lions as a warm-up to next year's Quad Nations, which will be hosted Down Under.
"Last year's World Cup really missed the chance for some big crowds in Sydney with us not being there,'' he said.
HAZEM El Masri is weighing up a unique chance to farewell rugby league in his Lebanese birthplace of Tripoli.
While a lap of honour around ANZ Stadium on October 4 shapes as the ultimate send-off, Lebanon officials recently approached El Masri about a sentimental footballing goodbye in his family's homeland.
Cedars coach John Elias last night revealed he had held several discussions with El Masri about making the 15,000km journey to the Middle East for a one-off European Cup tie against Russia on October 24.
"Hazem played in our first game on Lebanese soil against France in 2002 and it's something I know he'd dearly love to do again,'' Elias said.
"It would be such a fitting farewell for him - playing his final game in the town where he was born.''
El Masri has also been offered the team's captaincy and the chance to finish off in the position he started playing rugby league: fullback.
The 33-year-old will play his final Bulldogs home game tomorrow, with more than 40,000 fans expected to pay tribute at Olympic Park.
El Masri said the Lebanese offer was in the back of his mind as he prepares to tackle the Warriors, but will reserve a decision until after the Bulldogs' season is over.
"I've spoken to John, and it's something I'd love to do,'' El Masri said. "It's always interesting going back to Lebanon, but I've told John I just can't make a call at present.
"The main concern is that I need to see how my body holds up afterthe season and there's also a few things to work out with what I'm doing after football.
"I'm still talking to NRL and the Bulldogs about the work I'm going to do, so I've got to sort that out.
"I'd like to have one more game in Tripoli, but I just don't want to make a promise yet when I don't know if I can keep it.''
El Masri captained the Lebanese team just a month after making his one and only appearance for Australia in late 2002. He booted six goals in the 36-6 thumping of the French in a game that attracted almost 10,000 curious fans to the Tripoli International Stadium.
"It was a great occasion for Hazem, not only because of Tripoli, but because it was the very first game his mum had ever watched him play live,'' Elias said.
"Having him there meant a lot to the local competition in Lebanon. The people knew who he was and his farewell game this weekend has made news over there.''
The Lebanese team is rebuilding after narrowly missing World Cup qualification last year and hope to also boast Robbie Farah and Jarryd Saffy for the tournament.
Officials recently secured two sponsors - Luxbet.com and Guardian Security - to help fund their European Cup campaign, which also includes a clash against Scotland in early November.
Victory will set up a chance to join Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain as the fourth team in the 2011 Quad-Nations.
Elias said he was also aiming to play a Test match at Parramatta Stadium against either the Kiwis or Lions as a warm-up to next year's Quad Nations, which will be hosted Down Under.
"Last year's World Cup really missed the chance for some big crowds in Sydney with us not being there,'' he said.
