 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 23 November 2001 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 187 cm (6 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 92 kg (14 st 7 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing, Centre, Fullback | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: [1] As of 15 September 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jacob Kiraz (born 23 November 2001) is a Lebanon international rugby league footballer who plays as a winger or centre for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL.
 |
Kiraz was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is of Lebanese descent.
He played his junior rugby league for the Berala Bears and later St Johns Eagles.
In 2015, Kiraz was a member of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs under-15 Summer Development Squad. In 2018, he was a member of the under-17 Winter Development squad. [2] [3] In November 2018, he was named in the St. George Dragons SG Ball Cup train-on squad. On 6 February 2019, he was named in the team's final squad, and played eight games and scored three tries during the season. [4] [5]
In June, Kiraz signed a three-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys, beginning in 2020. [6]
On 22 June, at 17-years old, Kiraz made his international Test debut for Lebanon, coming off the bench in their 58–14 loss to Fiji at Leichhardt Oval. He set up his side's third try just two minutes after coming onto the field. [7] [8]
On 10 October, he was named in Lebanon's 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s squad. [9] Kiraz played just one game in the tournament before being disqualified for being under the age of 18. While the International Rugby League allows players 16 or older to play in Test matches, the National Rugby League, who ran the tournament, stipulates that you must be 18 to play. Kiraz would not turn 18 until November. [10] [11]
In 2020, Kiraz moved to Townsville but played just one game for the Townsville Blackhawks Under-20s side before moving back to Sydney after the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [12]
In 2021, Kiraz joined the Newcastle Knights on an NRL development contract. [13]
After not being able to break through for an NRL debut at the Newcastle club, Kiraz returned to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ahead of the 2022 season. [14]
In round 7 of the 2022 NRL season, Kiraz made his NRL debut for Canterbury against Brisbane. [15] He scored his first try in first grade the following week against the Wests Tigers.
In round 20, Kiraz scored a hat-trick in Canterbury's 24-10 victory over Newcastle. [16]
Kiraz played 15 games for Canterbury in the 2022 season scoring six tries. The club would finish 12th on the table at the end of the season. [17]
Kiraz would impress in the unfamiliar position of fullback for Lebanon during the Rugby League World Cup, scoring a try against Ireland as the Cedars made the quarter finals. [18]
In round 2 of the 2023 NRL season, Kiraz scored two tries for Canterbury in a 26-12 upset victory over Melbourne. [19] In round 7 against arch-rivals Parramatta, Kiraz was taken from the field during the first half with a knee injury. Canterbury would go on to lose the match 30-4. Kiraz was later ruled out for three matches. [20] [21] Kiraz played a total of 19 matches for Canterbury in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 15th on the table. [22] On 24 October, Kiraz signed a contract extension to remain at Canterbury until the end of the 2027 season. [23]
In round 12 of the 2024 NRL season, Kiraz scored two tries for Canterbury in their 44-12 win over St. George Illawarra. [24]
Brett Morris is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played on the wing and as a fullback for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australia at international level.
Joshua Morris is a former Australian professional rugby league footballer who last played as a centre for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL and Australia at international level.
Joseph Leilua is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays centre for the Dapto Canaries in the Illawarra Cup.
Timoteo Lafai is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Salford Red Devils in the Super League and Samoa at international level..
Paul Vaughan is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as prop for the Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League. He has played for both Italy and Australia at international level.
Moses Mbye is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays for the St Helens in the Betfred Super League.
Kurt Mann is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League. A utility player, he has started games in the positions of centre, five-eighth, wing, lock, fullback, hooker and halfback.
Fa'amanu Brown is a professional rugby league footballer who last played as a hooker for the St. George Illawarra Dragons and has represented Samoa and New Zealand at international level. He played as a halfback, five-eighth and lock earlier in his career.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for both Samoa and New Zealand at international level.
Marcelo Eduardo Montoya Jr is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger or centre for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Fiji at international level.
Mosese "Moses" Suli is a Tonga international rugby league player who plays as a centre and winger for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Matthew Lawrence Dufty is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League.
Kyle Flanagan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Corey Allan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a wing, fullback and centre for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Brent Naden is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and winger for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Jake Averillo is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Bradley Deitz is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NSW Cup. He had previously played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Mathew Feagai is a New Zealand Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a winger or centre for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Kane Bradley is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row, centre for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Toby Sexton is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a halfback for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Jacob Kiraz (Lebanon/Bulldogs) While his side may have been dismantled by the Aussies in the quarter-finals, Lebanon fullback Jacob Kiraz shined in his first RLWC. The 20-year-old, who made his first grade debut for Canterbury this year, was among the Cedars' best throughout the tournament as they made it out of the group stage comfortably. Kiraz scored one try, produced one try assist and averaged 139 run metres per game in the unfamiliar No.1 role, and could contend for the spot at the Bulldogs next season under new coach Cameron Ciraldo.