7th Tackle: Final sticking point in Cleary's Tigers deal

One of the last sticking points in Ivan Cleary's negotiations with Wests Tigers is whether the club will give him permission to coach Lebanon at the end-of-year World Cup.

Committing to the Cedars will put Cleary out of action for at least the first two weeks of his inaugural pre-season at Concord.

That's not an ideal scenario for the Tigers, who are backing him to revive the club over the next three-and-a-half years.

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Lebanese powerbrokers understand the dilemma and are already eying replacements in the event that Cleary is unavailable.

Highly rated assistant coaches Anthony Seibold (Souths) and Adam O'Brien (Melbourne) have already been mentioned.

We somehow can't see Jason Taylor entering the equation, with Robbie Farah favoured the lead the side.