Malta will have to be at their best to upset world no.7 Ireland in a friendly international at the Melita ground tonight (start: 21.00).
Yesterday, both captains and coaches addressed the media at the Alexandra Hotel where it became clear that the two teams are ready for a fierce test.
This will be the first occasion the two nations will meet in a Rugby League international.
Ireland captain Casey Dunne said they would be putting together a big performance after last week’s clash with Serbia.
“This game can’t come quick enough for the squad. Last week’s events aside, this Ireland squad are looking to put a big performance together,” Dunne said.
Malta interim head coach Chris Parker said he is expecting a physical match against the Irish and that the Maltese will have to be at the top of their game to take the spoils.
“It will be a tough battle. Ireland have mixed it with Belgium and Serbia in their last two outings and came out on top against those two physical sides,” said Parker.
“We have every chance of getting the win, but I expect we will need to be at the top of our game to do this.
“I’m expecting long periods of having to stay in the arm wrestle. We’ll need to keep our concentration as I have seen the Irish punish sides when they switch off.”
Irish edge
With Malta’s squad coming together this week, Parker said this was an advantage the Irish had against his team.
“They’re (Ireland) well drilled,” he said.
“They have spent plenty of time together over the past few months and that’s a luxury most international sides don’t get. It really gives them a strong platform coming into the game.”
Malta’s last outing was a 35-34 win over Belgium in June. Three weeks later the Irish beat the Belgians 38-0 at home. But Europe’s third ranked nation is taking the Maltese with respect, Dunne said.
Meanwhile, the national selectors yesterday announced their 42-man World Cup train-on squad that features 22 domestic players and overseas-based stars including Jake Mamo, of Newcastle Knights, and Jarrod Sammut and Jonathan Wallace who both play in England.
Malta kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Spain on September 26, in Valencia, before a home qualifier against Greece in October.
MRL National Development manager Anthony Micallef said: “We’ve been putting this squad together since the latter part of last year and it’s a good squad that bought into the Malta ideals and what we’re all about.
“It’s got experience and players of a high calibre with new, young and fresh names to the game that are going to be the face of our team for many more years.
“It’s exciting times for every one of the players named, and there’s real opportunities for a number of them to make a long career in the game for themselves if they go about things in the right way, beyond our qualifying matches later this month.”