MALTA v NETHERLANDS: ENC 2A

05.04.2014

Venue: HISB Stadium, Kordin, Valetta

Referee: Jorge Molpeceres (Spain)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
NETHERL.	6	5	1	0	179	101	78	3	0	25
SWITZ.	6	4	1	1	138	106	32	2	0	20
MALTA	6	3	0	3	123	132	-9	1	1	14
CROATIA	6	1	0	5	107	155	-48	2	1	7
LTHUANIA	6	1	0	5	103	156	-53	0	0	4

Preview
The Netherlands has already qualified to participate in the Rugby World Cup qualifying stages to find the third European team. They defeated Israel last October to play the ENC 1B in early May. The winner of that game will face Russia, who were placed third in ENC 1A, later in May.

Netherlands is certainly the form team and the one to catch in this competition. Malta at home has always been a difficult proposition. They easily accounted for Malta at home this time last year.

Previous Encounters
13.04.2013 Netherlands 48-10 in Amsterdam (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2A)
17.04.2010 Netherlands 19-0 in Amsterdam (ENC 2B)
25.04.2009 Netherlands 27-9 in Valette (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Netherlands 19th, Malta 21st

IRB Ranking Points
Netherlands 52.86, Malta 48.61

Prediction: Netherlands by 19 points

TEAMS

Netherlands Squad

Catalin Buburuzan      RC The Dukes
Costin Buburuza          RC The Dukes
Storm Carroll             RC Hilversum
Dirk Danen                  RC Hilversum 
Andy Darlington         RC 't Gooi
Hesam Fahimi             RC The Dukes
Vincent Grimbergen    LRC Diok
Tony Illstons           Haagsche RC
Floris Kieft              Haagsche RC
Leon Koenen           LRC Diok
Norbecio Mambo        RC The Dukes
Pieter Mol                Haagsche RC
Frank Nijenhuis           Rotterdamse SRC
Amir Ramaker        Haagsche RC
Maurice Stahlecker     RC Hilversum
Bart-Jan Romijn      Haagsche RC
Rik Roovers               RC Hilversum
Rob van de Velden   Castricumse RC
Rik van Balkom          RC The Dukes
Maarten van Osch      RC The Dukes
Bart Viguurs               RC The Dukes
Heuy van Vliet        Haagsche RC
Johan van Vliet        Haagsche RC

Management:
Alex Chang      Coach
Simon Green      Assist. Coach
Mathew Cripps      Assist. Coach
Oetze van der Meer   Dokter
Tasu Koop      Fysio
Arnold Michel      Manager
Tim Schumacher      Manager

Adapted from http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4528

Malta team details not available

For a complete list of all Netherlands and Malta international test rugby results go to www.rugbyinternational.net