Senior International Matches (Women)

Sat 26th September 2026   - KO  19:00 - Collegians Sports & Performance Centre, Sydney , Australia
Official: Thomas Inness (Australia)

Malta

10

FT

26

Half Time
10 - 10

Lebanon

Tries

Mackenzie CASSAR (7)
Annalise XERRI (37)

Amirah El-ABDALLAH (12)
Zoey Leigh SABA (13)
Audrey Salma NADAYA-HARB (47)
Eden Alexsandra MELHAM (62)
Saja RIFEI (78)

Goals

Mackenzie CASSAR (1/2)

Audrey Salma NADAYA-HARB (3/5)

Sinbins

Amirah El-ABDALLAH (36)

Match Preview: MALTA AND LEBANON WOMEN NAME SQUADS for Saturday's clash in Sydney

Malta and Lebanon women will meet for the first time in a senior international for world ranking points, at Collegians Sports & Performance Centre, Sydney on Saturday 26 September (kick off 7pm, local time).

To date, Lebanon women have played three times since 2017, all against Italy, while Malta’s dames have faced Philippines in 2022 and 2023. Both are set to field a host of possible debutants, Lebanon possibly eleven in a squad with an average age of 21 - although Myah Tumupu is an original Juniper – and Malta up to thirteen.

“This opportunity is the first step for our nation to commence preparations to qualify for the 2030 Woman’s Rugby League World Cup,” said Lebanon Women’s head coach, Sam Ayache. “This is more than simply playing a game — it is about representing members of our squad who reside in Lebanon, our nation, our families and the broader community that have supported us throughout our journey.

“These games are important in creating greater opportunities for women to compete on the world stage and to continue developing the women’s game.”

Malta women’s head coach, Luke Vella, commented: “This is a hugely important occasion for Malta Rugby League, playing against Lebanon provides the women with a fantastic opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition.

“International fixtures are vital for the continued development of our women’s programme. They give our players valuable experience, build confidence and create a pathway for future generations. We are incredibly proud of the commitment and passion our players have shown.”

 

Malta (squad): Nerida GREGORY (Berala Bears), Taylah Grech (Brothers PJRLC), Mackenzie Cassar (Caloundra Junior Sharks), Chloe SALIBA (Campbelltown City), Victoria COPPINI (Campbelltown City Kangaroos ), Kirsty Sant (Cronulla Caringbah ), Georgie Zahra, Kiah Taofoi (Emu Plains ), Talara TONNA (Leichhardt Juniors ), Margot VELLA (Nth Qld Cowboys), Sherina CAUCHI (Riverstone Razorbacks ), Tahlia SHUKER (Rockhampton Brothers ), Holly CZORNOBEJ (Shellharbour Stingrays ), Jessica BORG (Singleton Greyhounds ), Molly MAMO (Wentworthville Magpies ), Annalise XERRI, Izzy SULTANA, Zahlia SULTANA (Windsor Wolves ), Emilie MCCUE (Woolgoolga Seahorses )

Lebanon (squad): Kenzie MOUJALLI, Olivia Rose Saba, Zoey Leigh Saba (All Saints Toongabbie JRLFC), Eleni EL AZAR, Ella Hussein (Cabramatta Two Blues JRLFC), Eden Alexsandra Melham (Forestville Ferrets JRLFC & Wests Tigers), Amani Saraya (Guildford Owls JRLFC), Brianna Lillian Ali (Kincumber Colts JRLFC), Anabelle Khoury (Marrickville RSL), Audrey Salma Nadaya-Harb (Mounties JRLFC), Amal DANDAN (St Clair Comets JRLFC), Amirah El-ABDALLAH (Unattached), Dounya Ghanem, Lilliano Purnell (Warragamba Wombats JRLFC), Dalia NABHAN (Wentworthville Magpies DJRLFC), Saja Rifei (Wentworthville Magpies DRLFC), Myah TUMUPU (Wentworthville Magpies JRLFC), Ebonie MOSES (Western Suburbs Rosellas JRLFC)

24 September 2026
1 Margot VELLA
Full Back
Eden Alexsandra MELHAM 1
5 Talara TONNA
Right Wing
Eleni EL AZAR 2
2 Zahlia SULTANA
Right Centre
Zoey Leigh SABA 3
4 Georgie ZAHRA
Left Centre
Audrey Salma NADAYA-HARB 17
16 Annalise XERRI
Left Wing
Anabelle KHOURY 5
6 Tahlia SHUKER
Stand Off
Ella HUSSEIN 6
7 Kiah TAOFOI
Scrum Half
Amirah El-ABDALLAH 7
19 Jessica BORG
Prop
Brianna Lillian ALI 18
9 Kirsty SANT
Hooker
Dalia NABHAN 9
10 Victoria COPPINI
Prop
Saja RIFEI 8
11 Mackenzie CASSAR
Second Row
Ebonie MOSES 11
12 Emilie MCCUE
Second Row
Amal DANDAN 12
13 Nerida GREGORY
Loose Forward
Myah TUMUPU 13
14 Molly MAMO
Int 1
Kenzie MOUJALLI 14
15 Chloe SALIBA
Int 2
Lilliano PURNELL 16
20 Holly CZORNOBEJ
Int 3
Olivia Rose SABA 4
17 Izzy SULTANA
Int 4
Dounya GHANEM 20
18 Taylah GRECH
Reserve 1
Amani SARAYA 21
Match Report: Lebanon Women defeat Malta 10-26 in Syndey

Three unanswered second half tries from Audrey Salma Nadaya-Harb, Eden Alexsandra Melham, and, late on, Saja Rifei saw Lebanon’s women defeat Malta 26-10 at Collegians Sports & Performance Centre, Sydney.

The sides were level at the break, Annalise Xerri crossing just before it after Amirah El-Abdallah - who had replied for Lebanon - was sinbinned for a professional foul, but the Junipers regrouped and dominated the second period.

Lebanon women’s head coach, Sam Ayache, commented: “You could see the emotions and pride on both sides in representing their nations. For my girls as the game went on they got better, it was a bit scrappy but you can expect that from a really young team.

“We had a plan in terms of getting some younger girls involved and them ready for the 2030 World Cup qualifying process. We salute the girls playing back home in Lebanon and hope we can now bring the squad together.”

Malta opened the scoring in the seventh minute through centre Mackenzie Cassar but ultimately ran out of steam. “It was about learning and a good effort in our first match for three years,” said Dames’ head coach Luke Fellows.

“We’ll get back to the drawing board and come back stronger, they all put their hands up for the Maltese jersey and every single one of them showed the pride we talked about.”

27 September 2026