Elie El-Zakhem
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Elie El-Zakhem | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 17 April 1998 Merrylands, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 101 kg (15 st 13 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Lock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 7 October 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elie El-Zakhem is a Lebanon international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup.
He has previously played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, the Parramatta Eels, the Sydney Roosters and the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.
Club career
North Sydney Bears
On 24 September 2023, El-Zakhem played for North Sydney in their 2023 NSW Cup grand final loss against South Sydney.[3]
Castleford Tigers
On 29 September 2023, the Castleford Tigers announced the signing of El-Zakhem on a two-year deal from the 2024 Super League season.[4][5] He would be joining his Lebanon teammate Charbel Tasipale at the Tigers upon recommendation from former Castleford player Jordan Rankin.[6]
El-Zakhem was assigned squad number 11 ahead of the 2024 season.[7] He made his Super League debut for Castleford in round 1 against the Wigan Warriors.[8]
Mackay Cutters
On 23 Nov 2024 it was reported that he would join Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup for the 2025 season.[9]
International career
El-Zakhem made his international debut for Lebanon in their 56-14 loss to Fiji in the 2019 Pacific Test.[10]
In September 2022, El-Zakhem was named in the Lebanon squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[11] He featured in every game for the Cedars, making 4 appearances and scoring 2 tries.[2]
References
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ a b RL Record Keepers' Club
- ^ "Taaffe's statement as Souths end 40-year drought; veteran's captain's knock: Reserves Wrap". www.foxsports.com.au. 25 September 2023.
- ^ "El-Zakhem is a Tiger". Castleford Tigers. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Castleford Tigers: Putt and El-Zakhem join, new contract for Joe Westerman". BBC Sport. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ Smith, Peter (29 September 2023). "Ex-player helps out as Castleford Tigers sign Lebanon World Cup star". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (20 January 2024). "Castleford Tigers 2024 squad numbers: 11 new signings receive their jerseys, with 31 shirts handed out". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ Freeman, Jay (17 February 2024). "Super League: Castleford Tigers 4-32 Wigan Warriors - Reigning champions begin with hard-earned win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ Callum Walker (23 November 0224). "Ex-Castleford Tigers forward Elie El-Zakhem's new club now confirmed". Total RL.
- ^ "Fiji vs Lebanon". Wide World of Sports. 22 June 2019.
- ^ Walter, Brad (29 September 2023). "Moses named in Lebanon World Cup squad but Cheika sweating on Kangaroos call". NRL.com. Retrieved 22 October 2023.