Lebanon coach Rick Stone says the side’s bold mid-week threat to boycott Saturday’s Test against Fiji served its purpose and attention had now turned to orchestrating an upset at Leichhardt Oval.
Skipper Robbie Farah had threatened a no-show earlier this week, when intentions to cover the Cedars logo were sensationally countered by threats of jail time by the Lebanon Rugby League Federation.
Unhappy with results of the recent board elections and state of the local competition in Lebanon, peace talks on Wednesday ensured the players would run out against the Bati with badges on display but their point made.
Former Newcastle coach Stone admits he was “pretty naive” to the concerns before taking the job but said there weren’t uncommon based on his time at the helm of Fiji.
“You find with the second-tier nations there is some frustrations because there’s a little bit of lack of experience in management,” he told AAP.
“I was pretty naive to the whole thing, but we got a message across and a good result talking to (Rugby League International Federation CEO) Nigel Wood.
“The boys got a chance to express their frustrations; he was forthcoming in what he could do and how he could help.”
Stone was in charge of Fiji when they beat Lebanon 40-28 in 2014.
Having exposed then-unheralded pair Viliame Kikau and Daniel Saifiti to the Test arena, he understands how big the opportunity is for his young side.
“There’s plenty of history sprinkled with examples of opportunities taken by these younger players to go on and do something decent in their career,” he said.
“(Success depends on) how well your next tier players stand up to the rigours and speed of a Test and that is an unknown for Fiji and us.”
He said Wests Tigers playmaker Farah and Canterbury hooker Michael Lichaa would need to lead the way against a Fijian outfit headlined by destructive wingers Maika Sivo and Suliasi Vunivalu plus tough forward Korbin Sims.
“Key players like that in these sort of Tests are vitally important and they have a real opportunity to make a mark,” Stone said.
“Sometimes the whole ‘on paper’ argument doesn’t add up.
“If you can get the right emotional connection, play with some passion and control the ball you give yourselves a chance.”