Wales have failed to qualify for next year's World Cup after suffering a shock 50-26 defeat to Lebanon.
Lebanon to face Samoa on Wednesday
Wales have failed to qualify for next year's World Cup after suffering a shock 50-26 defeat to Lebanon.
They were on course to join England, Ireland and Scotland in the main draw in Australia when they led 20-10 early in the second half of their repechage semi-final at Widnes.
But they suffered a dramatic collapse, conceding five tries in 22 minutes to give Lebaanon the chance to qualify if they beat Samoa next Wednesday at Featherstone.
Winger Damian Gibson had earlier scored a hat-trick to puty Wales in charge.
But after reaching the semi-finals in both 1995 and 2000, they will not be in Australia for the 2008 renewal.
Dream
Wales made a dream start with two tries in the first nine minutes, both created by captain Lee Briers, and they totally dominated the first half.
The Warrington scrum-half hoisted a pinpoint kick for Gibson to touch down at the corner and then got his Wolves team-mate Andy Bracek charging over from his accurate pass.
Centre Frank Samia pulled a try back for Lebanon on 19 minutes but it was virtually all Wales, who twice declined penalty kicks at goal in order to pile on the pressure, but they only had one more try to show for all their efforts.
Gibson finished off superbly for his second after Luke Dyer collected Briers' floated pass and Iestyn Harris kicked his second conversion to make it 16-6.
The game was then thrown wide open just before the break when experienced loose forward Chris Salem split the Welsh defence with a clever dummy and crossed for Lebanon's second try.
But after Gibson produced some more clinical finishing three minutes into the second half to complete his hat-trick, Wales seemed to have re-established their hold on the game. Three tries in a 12-minute spell changed all that.
Scrum-half George Ndaira, Lebanon's only full-time player who is moving from St George Illawarra to Sydney Roosters for 2008, sent Salem over for his second try and then sped over for one of his own to level the scores at 20-20.
In front
Toufic Nicholas' conversion put Lebanon in front for the first time and prop Ray Moujali increased the lead on 57 minutes when he forced his way over from close range.
The Welsh defence was reeling by now and opened up again all too easily to allow substitute Ali Kourouche in, before Salem completed his hat-trick.
Wales did hit back through an Anthony Blackwood try which Briers converted.
But it was the surprize package from the middle east who finished the stronger, second rower Chris Saab and winger Adham El-Zbaideh adding further tries and Nicholas taking his goal tally to seven from nine attempts.
