Habbous’s XIII:

FB. Wassim Moumneh (AUB)

Not to take anything away from Jawad, but this guy can run and run hard, good step, good heart and desire to play and get better. Although sometimes very stubborn he makes up for it with his wicked defence and hard tackles.

WINGS. Wael Harb (AUB); Ghassan Dandash (USEK/NDU/CL/Jounieh)

I know this is supposed to be the best team over the last 5 years, but I’m to tempted to put Wael Harb on this list as his athleticism and break away speed will almost certainly rank him as one of the best wingers to play for the years to come.  I'm also throwing Ghassan Dandash on my selection of wingers and this might be a controversial choice, but his work ethic and fitness is amongst the best in the league, and coupled with his BRAVE heart I would love to have him on my team.

CENTRES. Najy Bassil (Balamand); Gilbert Haydamous (Balamand)

Call me biased, call it favoritism but you can only call him the finest tackler in Lebanon for the last four years.  His hands still need some work but I would rather have no one else on my defensive line than Balamand’s workhorse Naji Bassil.  As my other center, his team mate at Balamand and at Espoir, also a Cedar, Gilbert Haydamous, one of the most complete players in the game.

HALFBACKS. Jad Abinassif (AUB); Allen Soultan (Balamand)

I don't think there can be any question over the choice of scrum half. Jad understands the game, runs hard, and has great dfensive abilities. I'm going to put in Allen Soultan outside Jad.  This is where he first started playing at Balamand and with his wicked side step he would open up the field and create gaps for his team mates. Allen Soultan's big tackles in defence and prolific scoring ability makes him probably the best player to ever play in Lebanon.

PROPS. Amin Maassarani (Balamand); Robin Hachache (LAU)

With this prop combination we get to diverse styles, with Amin's stocky build but shorter frame we get a bull who will punish would-be tacklers and then deliver punishing tackles himself. Robin gives us a more skilled prop hitting gaps, offloading, and the best fitness and commitment from any player we have had up front.

SECOND ROWS. Rudi Hachache (LAU); Ibrahim Ballout (LAU)

Rudy Hachache, a freak of nature, and his Immortals team-mate Ibrahim Ballout are two players I wouldn't go without.  Ballout, a natural leader on the team, mixes powerful running with a finesse game and running and hitting gaps hard.  While players like Omar Darwich and Bassel Rehayem could have made this list, I would rather have no one else other than Rudi and Ibrahim.

HOOKER. Darwich Darwich (Balamand)

While my colleagues both put Sami Halabi in this position, I am putting Darwich Darwich in as my all star super hooker.  No player in the game today has the skill and heart and ‘balls’ as little Darwich.  He’s a natural passer, a great tackler, and is an example to his peers that it's not size that will win you a roster spot but your heart and desire.             

LOOSE FORWARD. Youssef El Helou (USEK/CL/Jounieh)

Yousef El Helou, an international, an Espoir stalwart and a Ben Affleck lookalike to boot - what more do I need to say.  Punishing hits, great runs, he completes my all star team.