Michael Cheika has backed Wests Tigers icon Robbie Farah to take the reins as Lebanon head coach, expressing his belief in the NRL star to lead the Cedars to success.
Cheika is set to depart the national team after the Rugby League World Cup as he returns to rugby union, coaching the NSW Waratahs.
As the Cedars prepare to move on from Cheika, the former Wallabies coach has put his praise on Farah to coach the national team.
Farah, a Wests Tigers great, represented Lebanon during his playing career and has been a part of Cheika's coaching staff for the national team. Cheika believes that Farah understands the importance of the Cedars to the country's rugby league community.
“ We'll decide all that once we're finished, but Robbie is a guy who is here, he has a nice balance between doing some consulting coaching, he wants to be involved in coaching here, and he's the best equipped around the Lebanon team, per se,” Cheika said, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I see him as a guy who definitely in the future can be in charge of this team, without a doubt.”
Farah has not ruled out the possibility of taking over as head coach despite his limited coaching experience. The 42-year-old spent time on the coaching staff under Benji Marshall with the Wests Tigers before stepping away at the end of 2024.
“It's humbling to hear Cheika say that about me, but he's still the coach, and I haven't given it much thought,” Farah said.
Farah made his international debut for the Cedars as an 18-year-old, and the opportunity to show his talents on the international stage launched his career towards the NRL.
“I got my chance to play for the Cedars as an 18-year-old, and it springboarded my career because I was playing in the NRL within six months.”
Having such a strong connection to Lebanon makes him a compelling candidate to replace Cheika; the former hooks remains passionate about giving back to Lebanon and developing the next generation of talent.
“If Lebanon asked me to run the water, I'd run the water. It's about giving back.”
“I'd love to help out where I can, and see more Lebanese kids coming through- not just for the Cedars, but in the NRL.”
Farah also acknowledged Cheika for providing valuable coaching knowledge, emphasising the opportunity to learn from someone who has found success in both rugby league and rugby union.
“I love coaching Lebanon, and it's something I'm super passionate about,” Farah said.
“I'm quite inexperienced when it comes to coaching, so to spend the 2022 World Cup with ‘Cheik' in the UK, now this World Cup, he's a wealth of knowledge, and there's no better person to learn from when you see his resume in both codes.”
The Cedars lose both Cheika and assistant coach Matt King, who is set to move into his role with the NSW State of Origin Men's team as head coach. While Farah has emerged as the leading candidate in Cheika's mind, the final decision is yet to be made.
Lebanon face Tonga in their next Rugby League World Cup match on Friday.
