Lebanon coach Michael Cheika can expect some phone calls soon from Bulldogs flyer Jacob Kiraz, who wants to reprise his World Cup efforts of four years ago when he played all three games for the Cedars at fullback.

To be fair it might be Cheika calling Kiraz, who was a revelation in the No.1 jersey in Canterbury's 30-20 win over Melbourne Storm last Friday after he had been sitting on the sidelines for a month with a knee injury.

Kiraz topped the metres count for both sides with 297 off 31 runs, including 105 kick-return metres. From his past four seasons at the Bulldogs he has played the majority of the 85 games at wing with a splattering of centre and only three at fullback.

“The lungs were blowing at times but everything felt good – and I was busy,” he said.

“I honestly don’t know how many metres I ran but I didn’t want to change my game. I know what my strengths are and that’s my running game.”

And that’s a trait that will make Cheika’s eyes light up as he formulates his team for Lebanon’s first World Cup 2026 assignment against the PNG Kumuls at home in Port Moresby on Saturday October 17.

The following statement might also help.

“Do I want to be back with Lebanon for another World Cup? One hundred per cent,” Kiraz said.

“I definitely want to play for Lebanon at the end of the year, if I get picked.

“I’d like to be fullback again but I want to have some conversations with Michael Cheika to see where he needs me.

“Hopefully we get Mitch (Moses) to come back from Australia and of course Adam Doueihi, as well, who’s killing it this year.

Photo: Mitchell Moses played for Lebanon at the last two World Cups in 2017 and 2022. @Getty Images

“We’re going to look pretty dangerous this year so I can’t wait for that.

“It was one of best moments of my life playing in the 2022 World Cup so I’m keen to do it again.”

Kiraz was also keen to be part of the State of Origin conversation again after being on the extended bench for Games Two and Three last year.

He had dealt with a hip injury ahead of Game One last year and this year his knee forced him out of the last four games for the Bulldogs (Rounds 8-11) before NSW coach Laurie Daley picked his team.

“You always want to play for your state and I guess last year was the same when I got injured right before,” Kiraz said.

“To be fair I believe everything happens for a reason so whatever the future holds … Go the Blues as they’ve got a strong side and I’m always supporting the boys.”

His immediate future is helping the Bulldogs string some wins together after the Storm triumph snapped a five-game losing streak. Kiraz may find himself at No.1 again as Connor Tracey repairs from a hamstring strain.

Photo: Jacob Kiraz starred at fullback for Lebanon at the World Cup in 2022. @Getty Images

“Thank goodness I trained there (last week) as unfortunately for CT (Connor Tracey) he’s had a bit of a hamstring issue.

“I got slotted straight in but I got all my reps in during the week and got my mind ready to play fullback.”

Kiraz scored the Bulldogs fifth and final try against Storm to seal the victory.

“I felt we were back playing our footy. The last couple of weeks we haven’t been playing the way we want to,” he said.

“Even when we were losing we knew we could come back because we enjoy ourselves when we’re training hard.

“We’ve got a team here that is happy and connected. You don’t like losing but when you do the boys lose a little bit of confidence.

“It hasn’t been good enough the last few weeks and it killed me watching, but hopefully we get some more wins on the way.”

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