MRFU banking on strong support for Dutch qualifier

The Malta Rugby Football Union (MRFU) yesterday appealed to local rugby fans to give their vocal support to the national team during Saturday's top-of-the-table clash against the Netherlands at the Hibs Ground (kick-off 3 p.m.).

Damien Neill's men have an arduous task on their hands as the Dutch are currently leading the way in Division 2B with a maximum nine points from three matches.

Malta, currently ranked 50th in the IRB list, are approaching the match high on morale after an impressive 32-19 win in Latvia last weekend lifted them to second in the standings on seven points.

Victory on Saturday would see the Maltese end their first-round commitments level on 10 points with the Netherlands.

"We hope the Maltese fans come to the Hibs Ground on Saturday and give their full support to our national team," Gail Debono, MRFU treasurer, told a media conference yesterday.

"Maltese fans have always backed our team in home games and I hope that on Saturday, we will have another bumper crowd. The Netherlands, ranked 41st in the world, are the best team in the group but we're looking forward to playing them. The players' confidence is high and we are certainly going out to claim a vital win."

Saturday's match has double significance for our team as a win would not only give Malta a share of top spot, it could also ensure progress to the next qualifying round of the 2011 World Cup.

"Victory over Latvia has kept us in with a chance of making progress in the 2011 World Cup qualifiers," Debono said.

"The format of these World Cup qualifiers is that the top team in the division at the end of the first round of matches moves to the next phase.

"If Malta win on Saturday, we will have the same tally as the Netherlands (losing team gains one point) and, if such scenario were to materialise, the point difference will decide which team goes through. The Netherlands have scored 23 points more than Malta, so to qualify we need to beat them by 24 points."

Marco Debono, Brand Executive of sponsors Cisk, said: "Cisk Lager's involvement with the Malta rugby national team started several years ago.

"In this time, we have seen the Maltese squad develop into a very successful team, attracting thousands of fans to its matches. This has made it easier for us to extend our sponsorship of the MRFU and we hope that our association with this sport will continue for several years to come."

Also present for yesterday's news conference was James Gatt, Marketing Executive at Gasan Enterprises Ltd, representatives of Mazda in Malta.

"Mazda has made a significant commitment to support local rugby," Gatt said.

"I am confident that home advantage (vs the Netherlands) will give us the edge and with Mazda's backing, the Maltese national squad will go from strength to strength."

Malta squad

I. Borda, H. Collins, K. Mason, P. Bradley, T. Pace Moore, R. Bonavia, L. Watts, C. Diamantino, D. Psaila, G. Kennedy, S. Kempster, P. Calgaro, M. Bonavia, J. Finlason, M. Mirabelli, M. Jarret, R. Spiteri, D. Busuttil, P. Marzella, M. Attard, O. Sacco, L. Culnane, V. Stivala, J. O'Brien.