http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...r/news-story/887f1398e81ebbdb4195d39d615970ab
Sea Eagles: Dad’s proud words to rugby league World Cup bolter
Jon Geddes, Manly Daily
SOME special words between father and son have helped Sea Eagles under 20 grand final back Bilal Maarbani prepare to make his international debut for Lebanon against England in the rugby league World Cup.
The 19-year-old rookie back has been picked in the centres by Lebanese coach Brad Fittler to face the tournament heavyweights at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.
And no one was more surprised about Maarbani’s selection than his dad Omar.
“He didn’t believe it when I told him, he was like ‘seriously, what is happening’.” Maarbani said.
But when he realised it was true, Omar’s disbelief was replaced by pride.
“He told me he has faith in me and trust and believes I will go all right and I’ve just got to go out there and do my job.” Maarbani said.
“It made me feel a lot more comfortable and whenever he says something I really believe his word because it always happens.”
Maarbani has been on an express ride since scoring a sensational try for Manly in their thrilling Holden Cup grand final win over Parramatta.
He admits when he was named as a bolter in the Lebanese Cup squad he was not expecting to play a game.
“I thought I was only going to be there for experience and learn how the senior players prepare during the week and on game day,” he admitted.
“When I found out I was starting I can’t describe the feeling, it was awesome.”
SOME special words between father and son have helped Sea Eagles under 20 grand final back Bilal Maarbani prepare to make his international debut for Lebanon against England in the rugby league World Cup.
The 19-year-old rookie back has been picked in the centres by Lebanese coach Brad Fittler to face the tournament heavyweights at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.
And no one was more surprised about Maarbani’s selection than his dad Omar.
“He didn’t believe it when I told him, he was like ‘seriously, what is happening’.” Maarbani said.
But when he realised it was true, Omar’s disbelief was replaced by pride.
“He told me he has faith in me and trust and believes I will go all right and I’ve just got to go out there and do my job.” Maarbani said.
“It made me feel a lot more comfortable and whenever he says something I really believe his word because it always happens.”
Maarbani has been on an express ride since scoring a sensational try for Manly in their thrilling Holden Cup grand final win over Parramatta.
He admits when he was named as a bolter in the Lebanese Cup squad he was not expecting to play a game.
“I thought I was only going to be there for experience and learn how the senior players prepare during the week and on game day,” he admitted.
“When I found out I was starting I can’t describe the feeling, it was awesome.”
The apprentice electrician was 19th man in Lebanon’s first up win over France and will now line up against a star-studded English side that includes seasoned NRL stars Gareth Widdop and James Graham.
But one ingredient Maarbani won’t be short of when he runs onto the SFS is passion.
“I am playing for my family- all of my grandparents, my father and most of my uncles were born in Lebanon,” he said.
“It really means a lot to be representing them.”
And Maarbani said the Lebanese players like Robbie Farah are helping him get through the week.
“You tell the senior players you are feeling nervous and they say ‘it’s just another game, you will be right’,” Maarbani said.