Adam Doueihi sent off over ugly act at Rugby League World Cup

Adam Doueihi has been sensationally sent off at the Rugby League World Cup after an apparent spray towards referee Grant Atkins in Lebanon's clash with New Zealand.

The Wests Tigers player is facing suspension after he was sent from the field for dissent as Lebanon blew a promising start to fall to defeat at the hands of the Kiwis.

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New Zealand were made to work for their 34-12 victory on Sunday in Warrington, but the talking point will centre on Doueihi's second-half dismissal.

Lebanon had kicked off in the 60th minute when NRL referee Atkins halted play and ordered Doueihi off the field at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Atkins also appeared to order Lebanon trainer and former Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah from the field as well.

“I think the trainer Robbie Farah has been sent off here,” Andrew Voss said in commentary. “Robbie Farah has been sent off by referee Atkins.

“Well this is interesting. Adam Doueihi is going to the sideline. What has happened here?

“Doueihi has been sent off. Adam Doueihi has gone off the field, so there is some drama here for Lebanon and they are down a man now.

“It seemed like a very frustrated referee Grant Atkins there.

“Was it dissent? You can only imagine that he got both barrels from both player and trainer I’m not sure.”

Voss later said: “Confirmation it was dissent from Adam Doueihi.

“I just wonder with the circumstances of it. It was short kick-off and play was just going to keep going, but Grant Atkins reacted.

“It must have been quite the gobful.”

Doueihi is now facing a possible ban from Lebanon's remaining two group games against Ireland and Jamaica.

Depending on the severity of what was said, a suspension could extend into the 2023 NRL season.

It was a sorry end to a game which for a spell looked like it could be the source of an unlikely upset.

The Cedars were gallant against the heavily fancied Kiwis after scoring the first try through Josh Mansour.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kenny Bromwich and Peta Hiku hit back for New Zealand before Lebanon winger Abbas Miski cut the deficit to 18-12 at the 50-minute mark.

Any hope of a comeback was quelled by tries for Dylan Brown and Joey Manu shortly after, with Doueihi's dismissal coming shortly afterwards.

Winger Jordan Rapana, who kicked five goals from six attempts for the Kiwis, rounded out the victory with a late try.

Luke Keary stars as Ireland thrash Jamaica

Luke Keary was earlier named man-of-the-match on his debut for Ireland as he moved one step closer to a World Cup knockout stage meeting with Australia.

The Sydney Roosters five-eighth set up one try and came close to grabbing one of his own as the Irish began their campaign with a dominant 48-2 win over Jamaica at Headingley.

With New Zealand heavily fancied to top group C, Ireland will now face Lebanon and need to win to ensure a passage to the quarter-finals.

If they finish second in the group, Ireland would likely face Australia in the last eight.

"It was awesome just to put the jersey on, it's been a special night," Keary told the BBC.

"We had some rust with the ball but it was exciting to share the field with Jamaica in their first game in the tournament.

"It steps up next week against Lebanon - we know they are going to be a tough task.

"They've got a class backline with Adam and Mitch, it's a big test for us."

with AAP

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