Michael Lichaa
A tough-as-nails hooker who carved out an NRL career before proudly representing his Lebanese heritage on the international rugby league stage.
Born 1993 (age 33)·Lebanon international rugby league footballer·Birthday: July 18·Millennials
Biography
Michael Lichaa made his NRL debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2014, playing hooker with defensive steel and crisp service from dummy-half. Over his club career he appeared in more than 100 first-grade games, including a stint with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. While his time in the NRL had its difficulties, his dedication to the Lebanese national team, the Cedars, gave him a steady focus. Eligible through his father's heritage, Lichaa became a regular in the side and contributed to Lebanon's 2017 World Cup campaign, which ended in the quarter-finals. His career shows a durable professional who valued representing his community as much as the weekly NRL grind.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Michael was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Michael Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Michael's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played over 100 NRL games, primarily for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, also featuring for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
- Represented Lebanon in multiple international tournaments, including the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
- Was part of the Lebanese squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2017 World Cup, a historic achievement for the nation.
Did You Know?
He is of Lebanese descent through his father and Australian through his mother.
He played his junior rugby league for the Bankstown Sports Club.
He was teammates with the Moses brothers, Mitchell and Josh, on the Lebanese national team.
“I play for Lebanon with my heart on my sleeve every time.”
