Charbel Tasipale is a Lebanon international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward or centre for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup. He was released from his contract with Castleford Tigers in June 2024, after returning home on compassionate grounds.

Charbel Tasipale
Personal information
Full nameCharbel Tasipale
Born (2000-02-24) 24 February 2000 (age 24)
Australia
Height188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight101 kg (15 st 13 lb)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023–24 Castleford Tigers 10 1 0 0 4
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022– Lebanon 4 2 0 0 8
Source: [1][2]
As of 24 June 2024

He has previously played for the Parramatta Eels and the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup.

Background

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Tasipale was born in Australia. His mother is Lebanese-Australian and his father hails from New Zealand and is of Samoan descent.[3][4]

Club career

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Parramatta Eels

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Tasipale came through the youth system at the Parramatta Eels, playing in the Jersey Flegg Cup side in 2020 and 2021.[5] He progressed into the Eels NSW Cup side in 2021, featuring in 9 games and scoring 1 try.[6]

Newtown Jets

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In 2022 he joined the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, and featured in 13 games and scoring 4 tries for their feeder team, the Newtown Jets in the 2022 NSW Cup.[7]

Castleford Tigers

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On 26 July 2023, Tasipale joined up with Super League side Castleford Tigers, signing a one-and-a-half-year deal with the option of a further year.[8][9][10] He made his Super League debut for the Tigers on 4 August against Huddersfield.[11] He scored his first try for Castleford against Wakefield Trinity in his second game for the club.[12][13] Tasipale said that joining amidst a relegation battle and coaching changes was overwhelming; "I haven't been in situations like this before in my footy career but all the boys got around each other and we've been in good spirits."[14]

On 24 Jun 24 it was announced that he had parted with Castleford Tigers by mutual consent.[15]

Western Suburbs Magpies

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Tasipale played his first game in the NSW cup for Western Suburbs Magpies on Sunday 14th July 2024. The Magpies beat the Sydney Roosters 44-4.

International career

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Tasipale was named in Junior Kiwis squads to face the Australian Schoolboys side.[16]

He played for the Cedars at the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.[17]

In 2022 Tasipale was named in the Lebanon squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[18] He made his international debut in October 2022 against New Zealand in Warrington.[19] In the third group stage match at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, Tasipale scored two tries for Lebanon in a 74–12 victory over Jamaica.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ RL Record Keepers' Club
  3. ^ Zero Tackle profile
  4. ^ JUNIOR KIWIS U19S NAMED
  5. ^ Our Footy Team profile
  6. ^ leagueunlimited stats
  7. ^ nothingbutleague stats
  8. ^ "Charbel Tasipale: Castleford Tigers sign Lebanon international on 18-month deal". BBC Sport. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (26 July 2023). "Castleford Tigers sign Lebanon World Cup star who is 'excited' about Super League opportunity". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Tigers sign Tasipale". Castleford Tigers. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Super League: Castleford 0-28 Huddersfield - Sam Halsall hat-trick as Giants win fourth in a row". BBC Sport. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  12. ^ "Super League: Wakefield Trinity 12-28 Castleford Tigers". BBC Sport. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Wakefield Trinity 12-28 Castleford Tigers: Greg Eden hat-trick gives Cas edge in Super League relegation battle". Sky Sports. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  14. ^ O'Brien, James (22 August 2023). "Charbel Tasipale open to long-term Castleford Tigers stay after coming through 'overwhelming' start". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Castleford release back-rower Tasipale". BBC Sport. 24 June 2024.
  16. ^ JUNIOR KIWIS U19S NAMED
  17. ^ "2019 World Cup Nines squads". FFRXIII. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  18. ^ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  19. ^ New Zealand 34-12 Lebanon
  20. ^ "Lebanon thrash Jamaica to reach World Cup quarter-finals". BBC Sport. 29 October 2022.
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