Fava plays for Wallabies ...out of MRFU frame

Scott Fava is no longer eligible to play for the Malta Rugby Union national team in international competition after the highly-rated flanker made a late appearance in Australia's 26-16 defeat to England at Twickenham last weekend.

The Malta Rugby Football Union (MRFU) had been in contact with the 29-year-old player of Maltese origins for a few months now and were hoping to secure his services for next year's World Cup qualifiers against Croatia and Belgium, scheduled for April.

However, their plans were thwarted when Wallaby coach Eddie Jones sent on Fava in place of George Smith in the final three minutes of Saturday's match with the Cook Cup at stake.

"It's a big blow for us," Malta team manager Mike Beerman told The Times yesterday.

"Scott Fava would have been a terrific addition to our squad," he added.

"He has been one of the top performers in the Australian Super 12 with both the ACT Brumbies and Western Force. No doubt, he would have strengthened our team significantly.

"But there's no use crying over spilt milk now. We've done our part and now we have to move on. There are other good players that we are in contact with and we hope to be in a position to make an official announcement on their availability in a few weeks' time when negotiations will be concluded."

Superior Germans

Last Saturday, Malta and Croatia were leapfrogged by Germany to the top spot in Group B of the 2007 World Cup third qualifying round. In Heidelberg, the Germans ran riot against Serbia and won 108-0.

As the score indicates, the Germans, who last month beat Malta 43-0 at the Hibs Ground, were all over the Serbs scoring 18 tries without reply.

Clemens von Grumbkow crossed the line three times with the other tries coming from Steffen Thier (2), Mustafa Gungor (2), Tim Kasten (2), Alexander Pipa (2), Pierre Faber, Colin Grann, Jens Schmidt, Sebas-tien Chaule, Markus Walger, Alexander Widiker and Hendrik van Look.

Germany have six points, two more than Malta and Croatia, and look the clear favourites to advance to the next round.

Belgium and Serbia have three points but the Belgians have played a game less.

Serbia, who lost at home to Malta (16-3) on November 5 and are still without a win, host Belgium in the next Group B match on April 4.