The Maltese national team face a stiff test against Switzerland in another World Cup Division 2A qualifying match at the Hibs Stadium, next month.
Despite a world ranking high of 40, Damien Neill’s men are bracing themselves for a tough time against a well-organised and methodic Swiss team who started their campaign with a 29-20 win over Croatia at home and a 24-7 upset at group leaders The Netherlands, Malta’s other opponents next month (April 13).
Malta lost their opening match away at Croatia (20-19) but made up with victory over Lithuania (34-17) in their next match at Corradino. The Maltese know they will have to be at their best to beat the Swiss who have a player base ten times that of ours, with over 6,000 registered players in their ranks.
Inspiration comes in various forms including the women’s Sevens team who beat the Switzerland Barbarians in the final of an international tournament at Marsa last month.
Now, the men look to emulate their female counterparts even though this qualifier will be a more critical one, knowing that both teams are playing for 2015 World Cup berths as well as position in FIRA’s European Nations Cup Division 2A.
Neill, also the Director of Rugby within the MRFU fold, was cautiously optimistic about the national team’s prospects.
“We played Switzerland in my first game as national coach in 2005. We know their qualities so we’ll put in all the necessary intensive training to prepare for this match,” the 2012 official of the year said.
“The Maltese squad’s average age has fallen from 34 to early 20s, we now have a better base on which to contest big games like this. Malta’s Rugby Union has swelled from 70 members to approximately 600, excluding the big number of children who have experienced the game through our Schools Festivals orchestrated by Daniel Holliday with the support of our youth sponsors GasanMamo.
“Back in 2005 there were just four local rugby teams, today we’ve got 17, along with an array of youth squads. We are now more competitive with this player base growing.”
Neill reckons that the sport in Malta is constantly growing.
“The general public’s interest has exploded,” he said.
“Our international rugby matches regularly attract 3,000 and more. We look forward to having the fans behind us on April 6 and create an atmosphere that will lift our players even further for the match.”
Rugby federation president Martin Galea is also of the opinion that the fervent support by the locals is an asset to the team.
“Rugby is a spectacular game to watch and our boys will put on a great showing in what will be a tight and exciting match.
“The support of our extraordinary home crowd will only add to the event.
“I must thank our sponsors, particularly Mediterranean Bank, who have renewed their backing for the MRFU and allow us to continue to participate in these European championships where we have an enviable track record and achieved record placings.”
In 2012, the national team won three matches from four in the European Championship and reached their highest world ranking to date.
Upcoming fixtures
April 6: Malta vs Switzerland.
April 13: Netherlands vs Malta.
Current standings
Netherlands (2-0-0) 8; Malta (1-0-1) 5; Switzerland (1-0-1) 5; Croatia (1-0-1) 4; Lithuania (0-0-2) 0.