Test Match: Malta and Sweden Clash

07.11.2009
Malta v Sweden in Corradina

Venue: Hibernians Stadium

Referee: Hoffman (Portugal)

Preview
A win against Sweden would almost certainly secure Malta's place in this division for 2010-12. The team has returned a few experienced players who were not available for the team that travelled to Croatia last weekend. Also included is 19 year old Thomas Pace, who will be making his test debut.

Malta coach Damian Neill (left) and team manager Danny Sacco addressing journalists yesterday. Image thanks to http://www.timesofmalta.com

Malta does not have a suitable training ground. The team has to travel overseas to prepare for important rugby matches and this situation will need to improve if Malta is to progress in the rugby world. This is according to MRFU President Michael Galea, who was interviewed by timesofmalta.com.

Assistance Swedish coach Mike Hales was pleased with his teams improved performance when they went down 16-19 against Netherlands last weekend. He feels the team has trained well and is beginning to work better as a team.

Malta won the first round match 9-6 away in Sweden which was a an excellent performance away. Since then Malta was defeated 27-9 by Netherlands .Sweden, though has improved and nearly caused an upset going down 16-19 to Netherlands last weekend.

Previous Encounter
01.11.2008 Malta 9-6 in Vanesborg (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Malta 21st, Sweden 22nd

Prediction: Sweden to win, by 15 points.

Teams

Sweden
15 Timothy Johansson (Enköping RK)
14 Tobias Borg (Enköping RK)
13 Alexander Taylor (Nuneaton RFC, England)
12 Paul Mathews (Goteborgs RK)
11 Setareki Tegunimataka (Pingvin RC)
10 Thomas Ardvisson (Fredriksberg RK)
9 Lee Sandberg (North Walsham RFC, England)
8 Sebastian Taylor (Old Haberdashers RFC, England)
7 Andrew Daish (Nuneaton RFC, England)
6 Alan Letele (Vänersborgs RK)
5 Viktor Pettersson, Capt. (Enköping RK)
4 Ivar Bengtsson (Hammarby IF Rugby)
3 Mattias Thorhard (Hammarby IF Rugby)
2 Jan Olof Johansson (Spartacus RFC)
1 Magnus Macdonald (London Scottish, England)
Replacements
16 Roger De Jager (Hammarby IF Rugby)
17 Richard Johansson (Hammarby IF Rugby)
18 Fredrik Casselhag (Hammarby IF Rugby)
19 Paul Sullivan (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
20 Peter Wiklund (Vänersborgs RK)
21 Rikard Ornberg (Vänersborgs RK)
22 Mike Tatu (Coach)

Head Coach Mike Tatu
Bengt Lund Kit Manager

from: http://iof3.idrottonline.se/templates/N ... px?id=9259
http://iof3.idrottonline.se/templates/NewsPage.aspx?id=9293
And thanks to ‘scanrugby’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3261

Malta Squad
M. Attard
M.Azzopardi
J. Bartolo
M. Bonavia
I. Borda
P. Bradley
D. Busuttil
C. Cassar
H. Collins
L. Culnane
J. Cutajar
J. Finlason
N. Gatt
J. Howland
M. Mirabelli
J. O'Brien
T. Pace Moore
O. Sacco
R. Spiteri
V. Stivala
T. Watts
M. Whitney
Head Coach: Damien Neill

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi ... onal-squad
Thanks also to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3261