James Elias has finished his Rugby League World Cup campaign with a try against Tonga.
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Elias, 23, grew up in Anna Bay and played at number three for Lebanon in his world cup debut.
The team entered the tournament ranked 20th and only narrowly missed a semi-final berth when beaten 24-22 by Tonga on Saturday night.
Elias scored the try chasing a kick, helping claw Tonga back to 16-12 in the 29th minute. The Cedars continued to challenge their more fancied rivals until the 80th minute.
“It was a big effort by the boys and we were unlucky with a few calls,” he said.
“We believed we could win and we really should have.”
Elias said the try – a personal highlight – was “pretty lucky”.
It was a Jason Taumalolo falcon that fell out of reach from Mitchell Moses but Elias was able to ground the ball cleanly under the posts at Christchurch.
“It ended up falling in front of me,” Elias said.
“I’m always pleased to get a try, especially this being a world cup. If I could choose, I would rather have made the finals.”
Elias had returned to his Corlette home on Monday. The past four weeks a career highlight after injury cut short his chances with the Knights. And playing with the Nelson Bay Junior Rugby League Club, he had only dreamed of moments like these.
“Coming into camp, it’s one of the best experiences you could have, it was something special,” he said.
Elias said the squad from players through to assistants and coach Brad Fittler, embraced the Lebanese culture.
“Freddie is a top coach; not many coaches could bring a group like us together and get us to perform like he did,” he said.
Their toughest pool match came against Australia. While the Cedars eventually fell 34-0 it didn’t reflect their intensity.
“We did really well to keep Australia to 10-0 at half time. [Cameron] Smith and [Cooper] Cronk, they’re monsters, they’re the world’s best for a reason,” he said.
“Their skills, they’re next level, it’s not just 20 or 30 minutes at peak intensity it’s 40 minutes and every run is at their best.”
Elias now plans to take an extended rest from footy.
While playing NSW Cup in 2015 he injured his ankle which required three operations. Then in 2016 he injured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial ligament and medial meniscus in his knee, which forced him out of the Knights reserve grade.
“I left my boots in New Zealand for a reason, I want to look after my body,” he said.
“I suppose if [an NRL team] offered me the right money I might play. But this experience is something I will keep with me forever, I will never forget it.”
Lebanon fans quickly established themselves as some of the most parochial in the cup. With the drum beating and flag waving they brought a carnival atmosphere to the games.
“The Sydney crowds were really good and even in Canberra, they mobbed us coming off the bus,” Elias said.
“We felt like movie stars.”
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