Burleigh Bears under-20 centre Allan Lockwood to play for Lebanon Cedars against Fiji Bati
It has been a week of controversy for Lebanon rugby league but they will produce one of the most positive stories of the representative round when Gold Coast teenager Allan Lockwood makes his Test debut against Fiji.
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IT has been a week of controversy for Lebanon rugby league but they will produce one of the most positive stories of the representative round when Gold Coast teenager Allan Lockwood makes his Test debut against Fiji.
Lockwood hails from Kempsey but has spent the past four years on the Coast, attending Palm Beach Currumbin State High and linking up with Burleigh in club footy.
He will be one of the lesser known names in a star-studded weekend of footy after fielding a call from coach Rick Stone to represent his heritage with a starting berth in the centres.
THE ORIGIN ACE PLUCKED FROM RESERVE GRADE
Lockwood has just eight Rugby League Gold Coast A-grade games to his name at the Bears and has this season been part of their Hastings Deering Colts under-20 squad.
The 19-year-old, whose grandfather was born in Lebanon, has previously played for the Cedars at under-18 level but admitted he did not see this Test chance coming.
“No, not really,” he said.
“The coach just gave me a call last Friday and pretty much just told me that I’m a good chance and then a few hours later he just gave me the call and said we’ve got your flights booked, you’re coming down.”
And so, from his relatively humble background, Lockwood has spent a week in camp with NRL veterans Robbie Farah, Tim Mannah, Michael Lichaa and Reece Robinson and will play alongside them in a 5.40pm Saturday kick-off at Leichhardt Oval.
“It’s a good opportunity, good experience I reckon just even being in camp with them for a week,” Lockwood said.
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Quarter-finalists at the 2017 World Cup, the Cedars have been at the centre of attention this week with discontent at the unavailability of some NRL players and even threats of a boycott in protest of the Lebanon Rugby League Federation’s management.
They will however proceed to take on a Bati side headlined by Suliasi Vunivalu, Korbin Sims, Jayson Bukuya and Viliame Kikau.
RUGBY LEAGUE GOLD COAST ROUND 13 FIXTURES
Saturday
Ormeau v Burleigh at Brien Harris Oval, 6pm
Sunday
Bilambil v Runaway Bay at Bilambil Rd, 2pm
Southport v Tugun at Owen Park, 2pm
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