Jason Saab does not possess a drop of Lebanese blood, but could not be prouder to represent the Cedars in honour of his father.
All of the winger’s earliest memories include his stepdad Pierre, the only father figure he has known.
Being raised in Lebanese culture has shaped the 26-year-old and pushed him towards making his debut for his adopted nation.
“He's my father at the end of the day, my earliest memories (are) of him,” Saab told AAP.
“I don't really know what it's like to have a different father or stepfather.”
“Every day, I'm kind of representing that culture … that's where all my values and morals have come from and how I go about daily life, so it's important for me to represent my family and the culture and heritage.”
Despite it ending in a disappointing 42-18 loss to Papua New Guinea, the Manly player was delighted to have his first taste of international footy in Lebanon's World Cup opener.
“I was pretty emotional when we went to the stadium, had our flags up and photos of past players,” the new Cedar said.
“The result didn't go our way, but I know that I definitely made my family proud and my grandmother was in tears watching me sing the national anthem so it was a special day, nonetheless.”
Turning his attention to their next match, against Tonga on Friday, is exciting for Saab who will face off against his Manly teammates Tolu Koula, Haumole Olakau’atu, Lehi Hopoate, and Taniela Paseka.
“I'll run into one of the Manly boys at some point,” Saab said.
“I've never gotten to play against my teammates at this level in a different jersey so I'm really excited.
“We still send each other memes every day. We’ll probably be sending each other memes on Thursday night and trying to kill each other on Friday so it'll be just business as usual."
Saab’s Lebanon will remain major underdogs in that match, even though star Tongan half-back Isaiya Katoa has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
After training separately from the team on Tuesday, Katoa was still hopeful of being fit for the clash. He will instead be rested before next weekend's massive clash with Pasifika rivals Samoa.
Katoa shone in an opening-round man-of-the-match performance, pulling the strings across the park in his side's 30-12 win over England.
“On the field, he's pretty demanding of what he wants and that's what you need from a half,” Stefano Utoikamanu, Tonga's opening try-scorer in that England victory, said.
“That's the best thing you can do for the team, just do your job and listen to Izzy (Katoa).”
But come Friday night against Lebanon, there will be a different general giving the orders.
Stepping in at half-back will be Latu Fainu, who has recovered quickly from the pectoral injury that sidelined him just 16 minutes into the opening round.
