Test Rugby: Malta v Croatia

25.10.2008
Malta v Croatia in Marsa (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)

Previews
This will be Malta's first outing this season in this competition. Croatia were easily defeated 0-47 last weekend by Czech Republic who play in Division 2A. They have that advantage of playing against a stronger side and will be a handful for the Maltese.

Previous Encounters
10.11.2007 Croatia 24-9 in Makarska (ENC 2B)
04.11.2006 Croatia 40-18 in Marsa (ENC 2B)
05.04.2006 Malta 26-14 in Marsa (WCQ Europe R3, Pool B)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Croatia 20th, Malta 21st.

Prediction: Croatia by 15 points.

Teams

Croatia
Vedran Antić (RK Nada)
Ante Blažević-Bandov (RK Nada)
Tomislav Burazin (RK Nada)
Tonči Buzov (RK Nada)
Goran Čulić (RK Nada)
Josip Dedić (RK Makarska Rivijera)
Tvrtko Dumančić *@
Tomislav Gomuzak (RK Zagreb)
Dušan Hakaraia (Waitemata RFC, New Zealand)
Većeslav Holjevac (RK Zagreb)
Nik Jurišić (RK Mladost)
Filip Mijić *@
Nenad Mračević *@
Ivan Nola (Waitemata RFC, New Zealand)
Michael Nola (Waitemata RFC, New Zealand)
Alek Osmanović (RK Makarska Rivijera)*+
Vedran Pomper (RK Nada)
Ivan Rešetar (RK Nada)*+
Ivica Rubelj *@
Saša Sekovanec (RK Nada)
Sasa Sljepčević (RK Nada)
Filip Ujaković (RK Zagreb)
Head Coach: Jakša Lovreta

Adapted from http://www.rugby.hr/
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2884&sid=b8d81f5cbde2247f7a65c07c64364eb6
* Not in squad v Czech Republic last weekend.
@ Possibly new cap
+ Last played 2007-08

For a complete list of all Croatia's international rugby results go to www.rugbyinternational.net

Malta squad
Adrian Bartolo (Kavallieri RFC)
Ian Borda (Kavallieri RFC)
M. Bonavia (?)
Dominic Busuttil (Beddau RFC, Wales)
Paul Calgaro (Queanbeyan Whites RFU, Australia)
Clayton Cassar (Overseas RUFC)
Harry Collins (Hartpury College RFC, England)
Lee Culnane (Tuggeranong Vikings RLFC, Australia)
C. Diamantino (?)
Donnovan Felice (?)*
James Finlason (Hove RFC, England)
Andrew Galea (Qormi Sharks RFC)
Matthew Jarrett (Haywards Heath RFC, England)*
Steven Kempster (Tring RFC, England)
Guy Kennedy (Queanbeyan Whites RFU, Australia)
Kyle Mason (Plymouth Albion RFC, England)
Michael McArdle (Ealing Trailfinders RFC, England)
Mathew Mirabelli (Stompers RFC)
Daryl Psaila (Kavallieri RFC)
Oliver Sacco (Clifton RFC, England)
Jarrod Sammut (?)*
Ashley Spencer (?)*
Head Coach: Damien Neill
* New Caps
Club affiliations as per 2007-08

Adapted from http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20081023/sport/mrfu-appeals-for-strong-support-in-qualifier-against-croatia
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2884

For a full summary of all Malta's international rugby results, go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/