Rugby league continues to bring the world together as the Harmony Cup All Stars face the Harmony Cup Indigenous All Stars in the curtain-raiser to the World Cup qualifier between Tonga and Cook Islands tomorrow (Saturday 17 October) at Campbelltown Stadium.
In a thrilling entrée, the Harmony Cup All Stars and Indigenous All Stars will meet in an action-packed under-16s rugby league nines contest.
Former Balmain Tigers cult hero and Lebanon World Cup coach David Bayssari guides the Harmony Cup All Stars side and ensures they’re savouring the moment.
“The All Stars match is about representing your heritage and never forgetting that. I’m Lebanese and it’s big part of my background – I’ve never forgotten that either,” Bayssari says.
“It’s a special day for the guys to represent their background and heritage. It’s an opportunity to experience that and play for themselves and their family.”
The Harmony Cup All Stars features the best players of different nationalities and backgrounds selected from a large contingent of teams participating in last week’s Harmony Cup tournament including Lebanon, Italy and Latin America.
“The guys got the chance to play for their heritage and country last week in the Harmony Cup tournament. Like Tonga and Cook Islands in the World Cup qualifier, we will play with a lot of pride and those guys should take that pride into their match as well.”
It’s set to be a cracking day of footy tomorrow, with the action kicking off at 4:00pm with the Harmony Cup All Stars clash.
HARMONY CUP ALL STARS:
Mazhur Ayoub
Fredrick Solo
Joshua De Battista
Adam Fearnley
Brock Campbell
Sam Clarke
Joseph Valu
Moung Dut
Miguel Acevedo-Mareno
Mita Tamaariki-Amosa
Dylan Leombruni
Julius Zapral
Sarkis Doueihi
Matthew Faauila
Wesley Lemoe
Bainivalu Sauturaga Duwai
Josh Wright
Aykan Bosnali
INDIGENOUS ALL STARS:
Blake Clayton
Ashley Dunlop
Robert Freeman
Josh Howard
Brock Naden
Chris Turner
Dean Ayescough
Percy Cubby
Lachlan Hannigan
Brenton Doyle O’Donnell
Allan Shipley
Luciano Svagelli
Mitchell Toomey
Noah Conaty
Reece Haines
Lachlan Roser
Tyran Pettit-Young
Byron Donovan