Michael Lichaa

Lichaa was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

Lichaa is of Lebanese descent{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/lebanon-train-on-squad-world-cup-qualifier/|title=Lebanon Name Train-On Squad For World Cup Qualifiers|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2015-10-03|access-date=2015-10-11|archive-date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126111501/http://www.rugbyleagueweek.com.au/lebanon-train-on-squad-world-cup-qualifier/|url-status=dead}} and played his junior football for the Cronulla-Caringbah Junior Rugby League Football Club and Yarrawarrah Tigers, before being signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

From 2011 to 2013, Lichaa played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks' NYC team{{cite web|url=http://nycdatabase.org/players/l/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616162758/http://nycdatabase.org/players/l/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=16 June 2015|title=L|date=27 December 2012|publisher=Nycdatabase.org|access-date=2015-06-27}}{{cite web|url=http://rleague.com/players/Michael-Lichaa_3373/Stats/|access-date=4 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629142200/http://rleague.com/players/Michael-Lichaa_3373/Stats/|archive-date=29 June 2015 }} On 21 April 2012, he played for the New South Wales under-20s team against Queensland.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/toyota-u/20s-origin-squads-named/tabid/10874/newsid/66909/default.aspx|title=Toyota U/20's Origin squads named|publisher=NRL.com|date=2012-04-16|access-date=2015-06-27}} He was named at hooker in the 2012 NYC Team of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/toyota-cup-team-of-the-year/tabid/10874/newsid/69388/default.aspx|title=Toyota Cup Team of the Year|publisher=NRL.com|date=2012-08-21|access-date=2015-04-05}} On 13 October 2012, he played for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/junior-kangaroos-side-announced/tabid/10874/newsid/70149/default.aspx|title=Junior Kangaroos side announced|publisher=NRL.com|date=2012-10-02|access-date=2015-06-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/junior-kangaroos-packed-with-nrl-talent/story-fndujljl-1226486591901|title=Junior Kangaroos packed with NRL talent|publisher=News.com.au|date=2012-10-02|access-date=2015-06-27}}

File:michaellichaa.jpg

On 20 April 2013, he again played for the New South Wales under-20s team against the Queensland under-20s team.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/under-20s-origin-squads-named/tabid/10874/newsid/71757/default.aspx|title=Under 20's Origin squads named|date=15 April 2013 |publisher=NRL.com|access-date=2015-03-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-2984-0-0-0&sID=176538&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=23199641|title=Holden U/20's State of Origin: Queensland U/20's v NSW U/20's - NRL Game Development - South East Queensland|publisher=Foxsportspulse.com|date=2013-04-17|access-date=2015-06-27}} He was again named at hooker in the 2013 NYC Team of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/2013-holden-cup-team-of-the-year/tabid/10874/newsid/74260/default.aspx|title=2013 Holden Cup Team of the Year|publisher=NRL.com|date=2013-08-27|access-date=2015-05-05}} On 13 October 2013, he again played for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/junior-kangaroos-team-named/tabid/10874/newsid/75007/default.aspx|title=Junior Kangaroos team named|publisher=NRL.com|date=2013-10-07|access-date=2015-06-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-2984-0-0-0&sID=176538&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=25882750|title=Junior Kangaroos train-on squad - NRL Game Development - South East Queensland|publisher=Foxsportspulse.com|access-date=2015-06-27}} In 2014, he moved on to the Sharks' New South Wales Cup team.{{cite web|url=http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2014/03/04/vb_nsw_cup_team_lists_round_one.html|title=Vb Nsw Cup Team Lists - Round One|date=4 March 2014 |publisher=NSWRL.com.au|access-date=2015-06-27}} In February 2014, he played for the Sharks in the inaugural Auckland Nines tournament.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|title=Squads For Auckland Nines|publisher=Rugbyleagueweek.com.au|date=2014-02-14|access-date=2015-06-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115214258/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|archive-date=15 January 2016|df=dmy-all}}

In round 2 of the 2014 NRL season, Lichaa made his NRL debut for Cronulla-Sutherland against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs off the interchange bench in the club's 42-4 loss at ANZ Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.sharks.com.au/news/2014/03/17/late_mail_sharks_v_bulldogs.html|title=Late Mail - Sharks v Bulldogs|date=17 March 2014 |publisher=Sharks.com|access-date=7 November 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-maul-sombre-cronulla-sharks-in-monday-night-football-at-anz-stadium/story-fni3fbgz-1226857229805|title=Canterbury Bulldogs Maul Sombre Cronulla Sharks|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-06-27}} Soon after, he signed a 3-year contract with Canterbury starting in 2015. Two days after the signing was made public, he was dropped from the first-grade team by coach Peter Sharp for a "lack of loyalty".{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/boom-cronulla-sharks-rookie-michael-lichaa-axed-after-signing-with-bulldogs/story-e6frf3ou-1226859343962?from=public_rss|title=Cronulla Sharks Rookie Michael Lichaa Axed After Signing With Bulldogs|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=2015-06-27}} Lichaa was brought back into the team in Round 7, playing off the interchange bench.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sydney-roosters-snap-their-threegame-losing-streak-with-a-gritty-win-over-a-battling-cronulla-sharks/story-fni3fbgz-1226889893327|title=Sydney Roosters Snap Their Three Game Losing Streak|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-06-27}} On 4 May, after only playing three NRL games, he played for New South Wales City against New South Wales Country in the 2014 City vs Country Origin match at Apex Oval in Dubbo, playing off the interchange bench in the 26-26 draw.{{cite web|author=Michael Carayannis|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/michael-lichaa-starstruck-by-brad-fittler-for-citycountry-origin-clash-20140501-zr2qy.html|title=Michael Lichaa star-struck by Brad Fittler for City-Country Origin clash|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2014-05-01|access-date=2015-06-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/hulking-centre-jamal-idris-stars-in-thrilling-citycountry-draw-in-dubbo/story-fni3fbgz-1226904860045|title=Hulking Centre Jamal Idris Stars in thrilling City-Country Draw|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-06-27}} He finished off his debut year in the NRL having played in 15 matches for Cronulla.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/My0xNjQ0LTQtLS0tLS0yMDcyMS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=2015-06-27}}

Lichaa made his first pre-season appearance for Canterbury in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/bulldogs-2015-nines-squad/|title=BULLDOGS NAME 2015 NINES SQUAD|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2015-01-23|access-date=2015-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023627/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/bulldogs-2015-nines-squad/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, he made his Canterbury debut against the Penrith Panthers, playing at hooker in the club's 24-18 loss at Penrith Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2015/round-1/penrith-vs-canterbury/summary.html|title=NRL 2015 - Round 1|publisher=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=2015-06-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/penrith-panthers-hold-on-for-victory-despite-a-late-comeback-from-canterbury-bulldogs-20150308-13yf4n.html|title=Penrith Panthers hold on for victory despite a late comeback from Canterbury Bulldogs|date=8 March 2015 |publisher=Smh.com.au|access-date=2015-11-26}} In Round 4 against the Wests Tigers, he scored his first NRL career try in the Bulldogs' 25-24 golden-point extra time win at ANZ Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2015/round-4/wests-tigers-vs-canterbury/summary.html|title=NRL 2015 - Round 4|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2015-11-26}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/bulldogs-beat-wests-tigers-in-golden-point/tabid/10874/newsid/84892/default.aspx|title=Bulldogs beat Wests Tigers in golden point|publisher=NRL.com|date=2015-03-27|access-date=2015-11-26}} In Round 23 against the Gold Coast Titans, he suffered a season ending lower leg injury.{{cite web|author=Matt Encarnacion|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/canterbury-bulldogs/canterbury-bulldogs-hooker-michael-lichaa-ruled-out-for-the-season-20150817-gj0z0j.html|title=Canterbury Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa ruled out for the season|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2015-08-17|access-date=2015-11-26}} He scored 3 tries from 21 matches in his first year with the Bulldogs.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NC0xNjYwLTQtLS0tLS0yMDcyMS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2015-10-22|access-date=2015-11-26}} He was named in the Lebanon 48-man train-on squad ahead of two 2017 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers against South Africa, however he didn't take part in either match.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/lebanon-train-on-squad-world-cup-qualifier/|title=Lebanon Name Train-On Squad For World Cup Qualifiers|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2015-10-03|access-date=2015-11-26|archive-date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126111501/http://www.rugbyleagueweek.com.au/lebanon-train-on-squad-world-cup-qualifier/|url-status=dead}}

Lichaa finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 3 tries for Canterbury-Bankstown.

In February 2017, Lichaa was selected in Canterbury's 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/02/04/2017-downer-nrl-auckland-nines-squads/|title=2017 Downer NRL Auckland Nines squads|date=3 February 2017|website=National Rugby League}} Towards the end of the season, Lichaa was struggling with form and was told by Des Hasler he was unwanted for next season until Hasler was terminated as Canterbury coach shortly thereafter. Lichaa said to Fox Sports “I got farewelled with three games to go and something clicked in my head and I went out and played my own game, “I think I finished the year showing the type of player that I am, and hopefully come round one, through to round 26 and the finals that’s the player I am, I was lucky enough Deano came on board and I had a relationship with him before. I’m really grateful to still be at the club".{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/bulldogs/how-michael-lichaa-was-farewelled-from-bulldogs-then-resigned-three-games-later/news-story/3130c9a82d27f5d8c8d17e38e7395012|title=Michael Lichaa Canterbury Bulldogs NRL contract, 2018 team, Des Hasler sacked|date=8 February 2018}}

On 2 May 2018, Lichaa was dropped by new Canterbury coach Dean Pay after struggling for form. On May 6, 2018, Lichaa spoke to the media about being dropped saying “You find out who your really good mates are in these tough times, you look at your phone and you see 30 or 40 messages from people, and you know the guys that are there for you at the end of the day, no matter what, and through thick and thin", “You learn a lot about yourself and who your true friends and family are".{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/pay-drops-nrl-axe-on-bulldogs-no-9-lichaa|title=Pay drops NRL axe on Bulldogs No.9 Lichaa|website=SBS News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/you-learn-who-your-true-friends-and-family-are-michael-lic/10j7dntwsc3mk1eyncypsvpmfd|title=You learn 'who your true friends and family are': Michael Lichaa after being dropped|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=7 May 2018 }}

Lichaa made 13 appearances for Canterbury-Bankstown in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 12th on the table. On September 16, it was announced that Lichaa would be released by the club after failing to secure a contract for the 2020 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2019/09/16/bulldogs-farewell-five-players/|title=Bulldogs farewell five players|website=Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|date=16 September 2019 }}

For the 2020 season, Lichaa signed with the small club of Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks in the Sydney Shield.

On 27 September, Lichaa played for Cronulla-Caringbah in the 2020 Sydney Shield grand final where they defeated Ryde-Eastwood Hawks 32-30 at Bankwest Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2020/09/27/sydney-shield-grand-final-match-report-sharks-ryde-eastwood/?fbclid=IwAR3n_tnVijx3qL7eQHSTR96aC9KwrsHbGeqXSoxWxtDSwyagXn4bgiZf6xI/|title=Incredible Sharks comeback earns premiership victory|website=www.nswrl.com.au|date=27 September 2020 }}

On 15 February 2021, it was reported that Lichaa had been charged with domestic violence offences against his fiancée. He was taken to hospital with serious arm injuries after allegedly being involved in an altercation with his fiancée and with former Canterbury-Bankstown player, best friend, and former teammate Adam Elliott.{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/former-nrl-hooker-michael-lichaa-charged-over-alleged-domestic-incident/news-story/d3946adfa9f45f31b8feae1955a82b15/|title='Love triangle': Ex-NRL star Michael Lichaa charged over alleged domestic incident|website=www.news.com.au}}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-15 |title=Wild scenes after fiancee caught being 'intimate' with NRL player |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/wild-scenes-after-fiancee-caught-being-intimate-with-nrl-player-c-2168840 |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=7NEWS |language=en}} The court heard that the incident occurred after Mr Lichaa caught Ms Childerhouse performing oral sex on Elliott.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-07 |title=Rugby star punched window after he 'caught ex giving oral sex to teammate' |url=https://www.indy100.com/sport/michael-lichaa-sex-rugby-punch |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=indy100 |language=en}} Lichaa was acquitted in August 2022 after an 18-month legal case, as his fiancée declined to press charges, pleading guilty to the less-serious charge of property damage for the broken window.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-05 |title=Huge court decision for ex-NRL star Michael Lichaa |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/huge-court-decision-for-exnrl-star-michael-lichaa/news-story/b013fd794b7c835cc5a3a625133e8fac |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}

"I couldn’t get the image of my fiancee performing oral sex on my best friend out of my mind," Lichaa told the court.{{Cite web |last=Sunderland |first=Tom |date=2022-08-06 |title=NRL ace 'almost died' after 'seeing ex performing oral sex on teammate' |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/lichaa-childerhouse-elliott-nrl-cheat-27675770 |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=mirror |language=en}} Lichaa lost 2.5 litres of blood after punching a window with his hand, with police describing the scene as a "bloodfest". Concerned neighbours, who reported hearing a man scream "I’m going to fucking kill her", called triple zero.

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs/michael-lichaa/ Canterbury Bulldogs profile]
• [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/team/profiles/michael_lichaa.html Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs profile]
• [http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=385#Michael-Lichaa 2017 RLWC profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405182818/http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=385#Michael-Lichaa |date=5 April 2018 }}

{{Lebanon 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}

{{2012 National Youth Competition Team of the Year}}

{{2013 National Youth Competition Team of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lichaa, Michael}}

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian people of Lebanese descent

Category:Australian rugby league players

Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players

Category:Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players

Category:Junior Kangaroos players

Category:Lebanon national rugby league team players

Category:New South Wales City Origin rugby league team players

Category:Rugby league hookers

Category:Rugby league players from Wollongong

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen