Following Malta’s latest success against Latvia last Saturday, rugby fans will be all eyes on the Malta National Team as they play against The Netherlands on Saturday, 25th April at the Hibernians Ground, in a Rugby World Cup 2011 Qualifier and FIRA-AER European Nations Cup Division 2B match. The match promises to set a benchmark for the Malta National Rugby Team, sponsored by Cisk Lager and Mazda.
This was announced by MRFU Chairman for the Organising Committee, Gail Debono, during a press conference held today at the MRFU Clubhouse in Marsa. She said: “The Netherlands team has been ranked favourite to win the European Nations Division 2B Championships. This will be a tough match for our boys but they have been training hard and we have seen two very successful training camps. The players are pulling together and this bodes well for the game on Saturday.”
After last week’s 32-19 victory against Latvia, Malta has climbed 3 places and is currently ranked 50th in the IRB World standings, while The Netherlands is in 41st position.
National Coach Damian Neill announced the squad. He said: “We have three new players in the squad of 23, Vince Stivala, Peter Bradley and Tom Pace Moore, who all play in the local league. The Netherlands are top of the division and are the strongest team. No doubt, this match will prove another major challenge for the Malta team.”
“Cisk Lager’s involvement with the Malta Rugby National team dates back a number of years. Since then we have seen the Maltese squad grow into a successful team, drawing thousands of rugby fans to its games in Malta. Partnering with the Malta National Rugby Team was a natural fit for Cisk Lager, Malta’s award-winning beer,” Marco Debono, Cisk Brand Executive, Simonds Farsons Cisk, plc.
James Gatt, Marketing Executive at Gasan Enterprises Ltd, representatives of Mazda in Malta, said: “Mazda have made a huge commitment to supporting local rugby and I am pleased to see that this is coinciding with the Malta National Rugby Team’s consistent improvement. I am confident that home advantage will give us the edge and with Mazda’s ‘Zoom Zoom’ backing they will go from strength to strength.”
“We would like to thank our main sponsors, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc with its brand Cisk Lager and Mazda, represented by Gasan Enterprises Ltd. Both companies are true investors of the development of rugby in Malta and are helping us achieve our goals in every way,” concluded Ms Debono.
Doors open at 12.30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained from several outlets, including Farsonsdirect.com, the MRFU Clubhouse, Fuego St Julian’s and Qawra, Pavi Supermarket, Saddles, St Julian’s, or through the ticket hotline 9988-1266. Please visit www.maltarugby.com for a full list of outlets and ticket prices.
The Malta squad for Saturday’s match will consist of:
Ian Borda
Harry Collins
Kyle Mason
Peter Bradley
Tom Pace Moore
Robert Bonavia
Luke Watts
Christoff Diamantino
Daryl Psaila
Guy Kennedy
Steve Kempster
Paul Calgaro
Mike Bonavia
James Finalson
Matthew Mirabelli
Matt Jarret
Rohan Spiteri
Dominic Busuttil
Paul Marzela
Malcolm Attard
Oliver Sacco
Lee Culnane
Vince Stivala
James O'Brien