A sensational comeback saw Lebanon’s women defeat Italy as part of a doubleheader at Lidcombe Oval, Sydney. The Junipers trailed 24-8 at the start of the second half, but led by center Sienna Ibrahim who crossed four times, hit back to win 36-28.
It was Italy women’s first international and they started supremely well, winger Brandy Yallop crossing for a hat trick inside the opening half hour, Kayla Fleming also going over twice in three minutes just before the break.
The second half was all Lebanon, Ibrahim who had scored first for them adding three more in nine minutes at the start of the second half to signal the revival.
Italy women’s coach, Massimo Gregorio, said: “We tried hard, fought to the end and it was a very special moment for the Italians. We can only grow from here.”
“We were very honored to have been a part of the first international for Italy, credit to the Azzuri on an awesome performance,” noted Lebanon women’s coach Sam Saadat. “I’m proud of the way the Lebanese girls dug deep in a hard fight to win.”
In the men’s match that followed, Italy found a winning score ten minutes from time to defeat the Ceders 16-14. Fullback Jack Piccirilli – who had opened the scoring for the Italians – converted Jackson Lenzo’s second try to claim the victory after Lebanon had led 8-4 at the break.
Bilal El Youssef put Lebanon back in the lead after Lenzo had posted his opening score, Lenzo responding immediately for the winner in a tight encounter. Italy men’s coach, Leo Epifania, noted: “It could have gone either way, but we stuck together and found a way to win. Lebanon challenged us to the end, and we’ve built up a good rivalry.”
Lebanon head coach, Michael Habib, said: “We were a little unlucky losing our half-back Kade Moujalli after four minutes to an ankle injury, and backrower Josh Maree soon after with a shoulder problem. We made too many handling errors and incompletions, but to our credit we were still in the game in the final moments.”
ITALY WOMEN 28
Rebecca Pollard, Marissa Acquasanta, Brielle Luccitti, Kaira Barnes, Brandy Yallop, Nikki Perungini, Rhiannon Gregorio, Bronte Wilson, Kayla Fleming, Deborah Wilson, Josephine Lenaz, Ashliegh Maiuri, Abbey Krzanic
Subs: Amali Ahmet, Hannah Ahmet, Takira Gaspari, Sofia Osman
Tries: Yallop (5, 16, 29), Fleming (34, 37), Acquasanta (70)
Goals Luccitti 2/3
LEBANON WOMEN 36
Debbie Doueihi, Elni Azar, Kenzie Moujalli, Sienna Ibrahim, Amelia Semrani, Amirah El Abdallah, Sama Nour, Sienna Deeley, Dalia Nabhan, Taylor Moussa, Amal Dandan, Eboni Moses, Jamilee McCregor Subs: Priscilla Younes, Myah Tumupu, Monica Dann
Tries: Ibrahim (12, 48, 52, 57), Nabhan (25), Nour (42), Semrani (64), Azar (68)
Goals: Azar 0/2, McGregor 2/6
Half time: 24-8
Referee: Isaac El-Hassan (Australia)
ITALY MEN 16
Jack Piccirilli, Jackson Lenzo, Jayden Carbonaro, George Statatos, Damon Potts, James Borges, Joel Saldeneri, Aaron Carbonaro, Nick Lenaz, Dominic Biondi, Massimo Mari, Lenny Plati, Marco Moretti
Subs: Zachary Farrugia, Luke Wakefield, Marco Severino, Noah De Molan
Tries: Piccirilli (21), Lenzo (50, 69)
Goals: Piccirilli 2/4
LEBANON MEN 14
Zachariah Nachar, Mohamed Alameddine, Ayman Maarbani, Elias Abou Mrad, Bilal El Youssef, Jonathon Ibrahim, Kade Moujalli, Daniel Ahmed Arahu, Yeyha Ayache, Ibrahim El Chiekh, Mikael Ibrahim, Joshua Maree, Moustafa Dirani
Subs: Xavier Ndaira, Ibrahim El Labban, AJ El Ters, James Khoo
Tries: Alameddine (7), Ibrahim (35), El Youssef (65)
Goals: Ibrahim 0/2, Arahu 1/1
Half time: 4-8
Referee: Liam Richardson (Australia)
