Safi’s XIII:

FB.  Jawad Fakih (LAU)

Super fast and the most secure fullback under the high ball, Fakih is one of the most dangerous outside backs Lebanon has ever produced. He beats Pierre Nasr to the no. 1 shirt.

WINGS. Faisal Itani (AUB); Gilbert Haydamous (Balamand)

Itani had a huge heart and reveled in throwing his 70kg frame into tackles against much bigger players. He also had a lot of pace but his defence wins him a shirt. He’s joined by Gilbert Haydamous who understands the game really well and pioneered the path to the national team from our local league.

CENTRES. Peter Danner (AUB); Pierre Nasr (NDU/CL/Jounieh RLFC)

Danner was a highly skilled player, the possessor of wonderful hands and really quick too. AUB’s all-time leading points scorer he led AUB to a convincing championship title, topping the scoring in Winter 2003. He is joined by Pierre Nasr who combines a really solid defence with an uncanny ability to beat a man with ball in hand. Just trailing those two is AUB utility Faisal Hashash, a terrific all-round natural.

HALFBACKS. Roy Abla (AUST/CL/Jounieh); Jad Abinassif (AUB)

Abla is not only the most skilful player we’ve ever had but also the best defensive halfback, too. I choose him over Lubnan Alamuddine, who, although a more prolific points scorer, never possessed Abla’s play-making ability. He formed a great halfback combination in 2006 alongside Jad Abinassif to steer Liban Espoir to its first ever win. I keep that combination in my All-Star creative department, with Abinassif the greatest halfback in league history.

PROP FORWARDS. Amin Maassarani (Balamand); Robin Hachache (LAU)

Combine all the attributes of a prop forward and you get Amin Maassarani. The hardest tackler and ball-carrier a Lebanese front row has seen, Amin has good speed too and a high work rate. He is joined – but only just – in the front row by his current Liban Espoir partner, Robin Hachache, who squeezes out AUB duo Anthony Letayf and George Helou. Robin has great speed and is probably the fittest front rower we’ve had, just edging Helou to that particular peak.

HOOKER. Sami Halabi (Balamand)

A close call between Jad El Masri and Sami Halabi but Halabi’s strong defence and superior passing game gives him the nod over the former AUB rake. Honourable mention must also be made of Darwich Darwich, who at 60kgs tackles like Trevor Gillmeister and is an example to every other player in Lebanon.

SECOND ROWS. Rudi Hachache (LAU); Bassel Rehayem (AUB)

What can you say about Rudi? He’s a natural freak, combining frightening physical attributes with slick skills and a nose for the try-line. He was born to play rugby league. I combine him with Bassel Rehayem who possessed great speed and the ability to create a chance from nothing. Bassel provides an 80-metre try-scoring threat from the back row, which is a massive plus.

LOOSE FORWARD. Allen Soultan (Balamand)