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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 31 May 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, who 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]
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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.