Jacob Kiraz
{{short description|Lebanon international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Jacob Kiraz
|fullname =
|image = jacobkiraz.jpg
|imagesize =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2001|11|23}}
|birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
|height = {{convert|187|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|92|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|WG|CE}}
|club1 = Canterbury Bulldogs
|year1start = 2022
|year1end = present
|appearances1 = 61
|tries1 = 24
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 96
|teamA = Lebanon
|yearAstart = 2019
|yearAend = 22
|appearancesA = 5
|triesA = 3
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 12
|teamB = Lebanon 9s
|yearBstart = 2019
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 1
|triesB = 0
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|retired =
|updated = 18 April 2025
}}
Jacob Kiraz (born 23 November 2001) is a Lebanon international rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|wg}}er or {{rlp|ce}} for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL.
Background
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=September 2024}}
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.
Playing career
=Early career=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2015/11/19/development-squads-announced/|title=Development Squads Announced|date=19 November 2015|website=Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2018/07/10/bulldogs-under-17-winter-development-squad/|title=Bulldogs Under 17 Winter Development Squad|date=9 July 2018|website=Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/11/23/st-george-illawarra-junior-representative-train-on-squads-announced/|title=St George, Illawarra junior representative train-on squads announced|date=22 November 2018|website=St George Illawarra Dragons}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/02/06/junior-representatives-squads-announced/|title=Junior representatives squads announced|date=6 February 2019|website=St George Illawarra Dragons}}
=2019=
In June, Kiraz signed a three-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys, beginning in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TBWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.townsvillebulletin.com.au%2Fsport%2Fblackhawks-half-kyle-laybutt-proud-to-suit-up-for-png-in-international-arena%2Fnews-story%2Ffdacf9ff56f300cf37c0d8cbac45006d&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=62de35973ac15ad187d76987f07ec951-1561211612|title=Subscribe to the Townsville Bulletin|website=www.townsvillebulletin.com.au}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/06/16/2019-representative-round-teams-state-of-origin-test-squads/|title=2019 Representative round teams: State of Origin, Test squads, NSW v Queensland|date=22 June 2019|website=National Rugby League}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/06/22/sivo-and-suli-fire-as-fijians-outclass-cedars/|title=Maika Sivo and Suliasi Vunivalu fire as Fiji Bati overpower Lebanon|date=22 June 2019|website=National Rugby League}}
On 10 October, he was named in Lebanon's 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/09/2019-world-cup-nines-squads/|title=2019 World Cup Nines squads and player numbers|date=18 October 2019|website=National Rugby League}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/19/cedars-fall-short-of-semis-after-having-two-players-disqualified/|title=Cedars stripped of win after having two players disqualified|date=19 October 2019|website=National Rugby League}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/world-nines-world-9s-lebanon-points-stripped-vs-france-wales-fight-video-rugby-league-nrl-2019/news-story/3786f9dd0dd1eefb768d6b279d3ef853|title=World Nines, World 9s: Lebanon points stripped vs France, Wales, fight, video, Rugby League NRL 2019|date=19 October 2019}}
=2020=
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2020/03/12/Kiraz-craving-top-tier-football-ahead-of-round-1/|title=Kiraz craving top tier football ahead of Round 1|date=12 March 2020|website=QRL}}
=2021=
In 2021, Kiraz joined the Newcastle Knights on an NRL development contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2020/11/09/full-2021-squad-list/|title=Full 2021 NRL squad list and development players|date=February 4, 2021|website=Newcastle Knights}}
=2022=
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zerotackle.com/bulldogs-make-raid-on-rivals-to-secure-departed-local-junior-113209/|title=Bulldogs make raid on rivals to secure departed local junior|first=Scott|last=Pryde|date=20 January 2022|website=Zero Tackle}}
In round 7 of the 2022 NRL season, Kiraz made his NRL debut for Canterbury against Brisbane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2022/04/19/round-7-team-news-bulldogs-broncos-983dhedw/|title=Round 7 Team News: Squad confirmed for Broncos clash|date=22 April 2022|website=Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/07/31/kiraz-scores-three-as-bulldogs-cruise-to-beat-knights/|title=Kiraz scores three as Bulldogs cruise past Knights|website=www.nrl.com}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2022-canterbury-bulldogs-season-review/wapmyddrbadukioadiybr1fs/|title=NRL 2022: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs season review|website=www.sportingnews.com}}
Kiraz would impress in the unfamiliar position of {{rlp|fb}} for Lebanon during the Rugby League World Cup, scoring a try against Ireland as the Cedars made the quarter finals.{{cite web |last1=O'Loughlin |first1=Liam |title=Rugby League World Cup: Whose stocks have risen during RLWC 2021? |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/rugby-league-world-cup-whose-stocks-have-risen-during-rlwc-2021/hrmbja98ia52v3dfugjpvjki |website=Sporting News |access-date=7 December 2022 |date=14 November 2022 |quote=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.}}
=2023=
In round 2 of the 2023 NRL season, Kiraz scored two tries for Canterbury in a 26-12 upset victory over Melbourne.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-scores-2023-round-results-sydney-roosters-warriors-dolphins-raiders-melbourne-storm-canterbury-bulldogs-updates-kick-off-time-news/8e8e3ee9-142f-40cb-b404-84ec72a73dc5/|title=NRL Saturday AS IT HAPPENED: Craig Bellamy goes 'nuclear' as Dogs shock Storm; Dolphins fairytale rolls on in dramatic victory over Raiders|website=wwos.nine.com.au}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-parramatta-eels-vs-canterbury-bulldogs-live-stream-live-blog-supercoach-scores-videos-mitchell-moses-matt-burton/news-story/0aa79f5f4b850dd80d5fae3109bf112a/|title=Gutherson makes mockery of 'X-Factor' claims as ex-Eel cops nightmare return: 3 Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/01/01/casualty-ward-all-the-latest-nrl-injury-news-updates-returns-details/|title=Casualty Ward: Taumalolo to undergo surgery; Kiraz out for three, Averillo hobbled|website=www.nrl.com}}
Kiraz played a total of 19 matches for Canterbury in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 15th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-canterbury-bulldogs-season-review/ubsemk2vg6ihykdbrn33revb#:~:text=Did%20the%20Bulldogs%20over%2Ddeliver,their%20roster%20and%20coaching%20staff./|title=NRL 2023: Canterbury Bulldogs season review|website=www.sportingnews.com}}
On 24 October, Kiraz signed a contract extension to remain at Canterbury until the end of the 2027 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-jacob-kiraz-resigns-with-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-threeyear-contract-extension-every-clubs-roster-top-30-signings/news-story/d8cb26aa2ec64cf38c5c737511b51768/|title=Sea Eagle returns home as Bulldogs lose one after big retention win: NRL Transfer Centre|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
=2024=
In round 12 of the 2024 NRL season, Kiraz scored two tries for Canterbury in their 44-12 win over St. George Illawarra.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-23/nrl-live-updates-round-12-bulldogs-vs-dragons/103878456/|title=Canterbury Bulldogs thump St George Illawarra Dragons 44-12 to kick off NRL Indigenous Round|website=www.abc.net.au}}
Kiraz played 25 games for Canterbury in the 2024 NRL season and scored twelve tries as the club qualified for the finals. Kiraz played in their elimination finals loss against Manly.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-canterbury-bulldogs-season-review-phil-gould-cameron-ciraldo-20240916-p5kb0n.html/|title=Bulldogs left 'frustrated' by semi final defeat as new standards laid bare|website=www.nine.com.au}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |
| 2022
| rowspan="3" |{{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |15 |6 |24 |
| 2023
|19 |6 |24 |
| 2024
|25 |12 |48 |
| |Totals
|59 |24 |96 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs/jacob-kiraz/ Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/internationals/lebanon/jacob-kiraz/ NRL profile]
{{Bulldogs squad}}
{{Lebanon 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiraz, Jacob}}
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Australian people of Lebanese descent
Category:Lebanon national rugby league team players
Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players