Few NRL players have had a 2025 season quite like Jacob Kiraz. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs winger has navigated a back injury, a calf strain, and a foot sprain, yet still found his way back for the finals.

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Date of birth: 23 November 2001 ·
Age (as of 2025): 23 years ·
Nationality: Lebanese / Australian ·
Position: Winger / Centre ·
Current team: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (NRL) ·
Bulldogs debut: 2022

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Jacob Kiraz is a Lebanon international rugby league player for the Bulldogs (NRL.com)
  • Born 23 November 2001 (NRL.com)
  • Suffered a back injury early 2025 (The QLDer)
  • Sustained a calf strain in May 2025 (Zero Tackle)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact return date from any current injury
  • Salary details (not publicly disclosed)
  • Marital status and religion (no reliable sources)
3Timeline signal
  • 23 Nov 2001 – Born
  • 2022 – NRL debut
  • Feb 2025 – Back injury sidelines him
  • May 2025 – Calf injury, out 4‑6 weeks
  • Aug 2025 – Foot sprain and bony fractures
4What’s next
  • Return depends on fitness assessment – no confirmed date
  • Bulldogs depth will be tested if he misses more games

Seven key facts about Kiraz, one pattern: a young player with elite potential repeatedly interrupted by lower‑body injuries.

The pattern from his 2025 campaign is clear: each setback tests both his body and the Bulldogs’ backline depth.

Label Value
Date of birth 23 November 2001
Age 23 (as of 2025 season)
Nationality Lebanese / Australian
Position Winger / Centre
Current team Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
NRL debut 2022 (NRL.com)
Tries (NRL career) 11 (as of 2025 season)

Who is Jacob Kiraz?

Early life and background

  • Jacob Kiraz was born on 23 November 2001 and grew up in Sydney, Australia.
  • He played junior rugby league for the Hills District Bulls and attended a local high school.
  • Kiraz was signed by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and made his NRL debut in 2022, becoming club No. 830 (NRL.com).
The upshot

Kiraz’s rise from a local junior to a regular first‑grader in two seasons shows the Bulldogs’ faith in his talent. The question is whether his body can hold up under the weekly grind.

Career overview

  • Primarily a winger, Kiraz can also play centre.
  • He has scored 11 tries in the NRL as of the 2025 season.
  • Internationally, he represents Lebanon and played in the Rugby League World Cup.

The pattern: a versatile outside back who has become a fan favourite but has yet to play a full season without disruption.

What nationality is Jacob Kiraz?

Heritage and international representation

  • Kiraz holds dual Lebanese and Australian nationality.
  • He chose to represent Lebanon at the international level, debuting in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup (NRL.com).
  • His heritage is a source of pride, and he often acknowledges his Lebanese background in interviews.
What to watch

Kiraz’s dual nationality means he could be eligible for State of Origin selection, but his injury interruptions have put those ambitions on hold.

The implication: his international commitments may clash with club recovery windows.

How old is Jacob Kiraz?

Birth date and age

  • Born 23 November 2001, Kiraz is 23 years old as of the 2025 NRL season.
  • He is in the prime age bracket for a rugby league outside back, making his injury timeline all the more frustrating.

The trade-off: at 23, he has time on his side, but repeated setbacks could delay his development curve.

Is Jacob Kiraz injured?

Current injury details

  • Kiraz suffered a back injury early in the 2025 pre‑season, causing him to miss the start of the NRL season (The QLDer).
  • In May 2025, he tore his calf after a win over the Sydney Roosters, an injury that ruled him out for at least a month (Zero Tackle).
  • Later in August 2025, he suffered a suspected syndesmosis injury, and scans showed a mild foot sprain and bony fractures (SEN).
  • Despite initial fears of a long layoff, he returned after just two weeks for the NRL finals (ABC News).
Why this matters

Kiraz has now dealt with back, calf, foot, and ankle issues in a single season. For a player who relies on acceleration and evasive running, each injury erodes the trust his body can deliver week after week.

Recovery timeline

  • Phil Gould, the Bulldogs’ general manager, described Kiraz’s back injury as a “pain tolerance situation” (The QLDer).
  • The calf strain was initially estimated at 4‑6 weeks; Kiraz returned after PRP injections (Instagram).
  • His return from the foot injury was faster than expected, with Kiraz saying he was “willing to play through pain” and that painkilling injections helped him get back for the finals (ABC News).

The implication: Kiraz’s recovery timeline is unpredictable, making him a high‑risk selection for any team relying on him for a full campaign.

Will Kiraz play this weekend?

Return speculation

  • As of the latest news, Kiraz has no confirmed return date for any lingering injury.
  • The Bulldogs’ coaching staff will assess his fitness on a week‑to‑week basis.
  • Reports from September 2025 indicated he was back in action for the finals, but his availability for regular season games remains uncertain.
The catch

The Bulldogs’ depth is being tested. With Kiraz out, players like Blake Wilson have stepped in, but the team lacks Kiraz’s finishing ability and defensive urgency.

Team depth impact

  • Kiraz was replaced by Blake Wilson for Canterbury’s match against the Dolphins in Round 12, 2025 (The Roar).
  • The Bulldogs have managed to stay competitive, but their finals hopes rest on having a full‑strength backline.

The pattern: every week Kiraz is unavailable, the Bulldogs lose a player who can create something out of nothing – and that’s exactly what they need in tight games.

Timeline

  • 23 November 2001 – Born in Sydney, Australia
  • 2022 – NRL debut for Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
  • 2022 – Selected for Lebanon in Rugby League World Cup (NRL.com)
  • February 2025 – Back injury sidelines him; pain tolerance situation (The QLDer)
  • May 2025 – Calf strain, expected 4‑6 weeks out (Zero Tackle)
  • June 2025 – Returns after PRP injections (Instagram)
  • August 2025 – Foot sprain and bony fractures; possible 6‑12 week recovery (SEN)
  • September 2025 – Returns for finals after two weeks (ABC News)

Clarity: What’s known vs. what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Jacob Kiraz is a Lebanon international rugby league player for the Bulldogs
  • Born 23 November 2001
  • Suffered a back injury in 2025 (The QLDer)
  • Tore his calf in May 2025 (Zero Tackle)
  • Returned for finals in September 2025 (ABC News)

What’s unclear

  • Exact return date from any current injury
  • Salary details (not publicly disclosed)
  • Marital status and religion (no reliable sources)
  • Whether he will be selected for State of Origin

Quotes

“I should be out for six weeks” – but Kiraz later blamed the calf injury on cramps.

— Jacob Kiraz (Zero Tackle)

“I was willing to play through pain if I could still run. Painkilling injections helped me get back.”

— Jacob Kiraz (ABC News)

“I hate missing games. The performance team got me through the ankle recovery.”

— Jacob Kiraz (ABC News)

Phil Gould described Kiraz’s back injury as “a pain tolerance situation”.

— Phil Gould (The QLDer)

Kiraz’s willingness to push through pain is admirable, but it also raises concerns about long‑term wear and tear. For the Bulldogs, the pattern is clear: he can be a match‑winner when fit, but relying on him for a full season is a gamble.

Additional sources

theqldr.com.au, instagram.com, zerotackle.com, nrl.com, espn.com.au

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Frequently asked questions

What position does Jacob Kiraz play?

He plays as a winger or centre for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

What is Jacob Kiraz’s shirt number?

He wears the No. 24 jersey for the Bulldogs.

Who are Jacob Kiraz’s parents?

His parents are of Lebanese descent, but their names are not publicly confirmed.

Is Jacob Kiraz married?

His marital status is not publicly known.

What is Jacob Kiraz’s religion?

No reliable sources specify his religion.

What is Jacob Kiraz’s salary?

His salary is not publicly disclosed.

Where did Jacob Kiraz go to high school?

He attended a local high school in Sydney, but the exact name is not confirmed.

Will Jacob Kiraz play for Lebanon again?

Yes, he has represented Lebanon in the World Cup and is expected to continue.

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