Lebanon has been given the green light to compete in the World Cup Nines despite naming a team devoid of NRL talent.
A lingering player dispute meant the NRL had concerns over the quality of the Cedars' side for next weekend's tournament in Parramatta, with suggestions they could even be pulled from the event.
But it is understood the NRL was satisfied with the squad named on Thursday, especially given retirement, injuries and Australian selection meant a bulk of the Cedars' big names were unavailable.
A dispute between players and the Lebanon Rugby League board almost sabotaged a mid-year Test and that unrest had lingered ahead of the 12-team tournament four months on.
Players were threatened with potential jail time and bans, while Josh Mansour, Robbie Farah and Mitchell Moses were among a host of players to be suspended and fined for speaking out against the federation.
But Tim Mannah and Farah have both since retired, Moses was selected for Australia while Adam Doueihi, Abbas Miski and Alex Twal are all carrying injuries.
Mansour has maintained his stance against the federation while Michael Lichaa is the only other NRL talent to make himself unavailable.
The squad named is instead littered with fringe NRL talent from the Queensland and NSW Cup, while former USA rugby product Ahmad Harajly has switched codes with an eye to the 2021 World Cup.
It is understood the NRL deemed that squad more than capable of competing at Bankwest Stadium.
Lebanon squad: Kayne Kalache, James Roumanos, Elie El-Zakhem, Reece Robinson, Travis Robinson, Jacob Kiraz, Jalal Bazzaz, Anthony Layoun, Bilal Maarbani, Jayden El-Jalkh, Adam Rizk, Josh Rizk, John Paul Nohra, Johnny-Lee Gabriel, Charbel Tasipale, Ahmad Harajly, Ziad Agha, Jordan Samrani. Coach: Rick Stone
Australian Associated Press
