Malta squad for today’s Sydney test

Malta, proudly sponsored by Zoti Sports have named an astonishing 11 debutants for today’s International Rugby League clash against the Philippines as Peter Cassar rewards a raft of rookies from his train on squad.

With Philippines boasting a largely unchanged line-up coming off last year’s victory over Serbia, Cassar has opted to unleash new recruit and 115kg St Marys prop Dean Zammit into the starting side alongside Jake Lennox.

The squad features several players originally named for last year’s cancelled visit to Thailand with Cassar confirming this weekend’s match would provide an opportunity for players to push for selection ahead of the rescheduled Chiang Mai tour at season’s end.

Aaron Grech returns to the fold playing his third Test and first in the starting team after being named at lock, while Kyal Greene who appeared for Malta last October against Ireland will round out the rest of the forward pack with Forbes Magpies captaincoach Jake Grace.

The withdrawal of Illawarra Cutters Blake Phillips has opened the door for former Newcastle Knights back rower Ben Stone to make his first appearance for the red and whites and he’s joined on the bench by Matthew Thompson, Jonathon Trott and CJ Rapinette.

Nathan Benson, who interestingly shares a house with two of the opposing Filipino players, will fly into camp on match eve with three other Malta teammates and slot into the left wing spot on game day outside experienced centre and Malta Vice-Captain Aaron Weston.

Blacktown hooker and Malta captain Jake Attard believes that his former Penrith Panthers club mate, 25 year old Jake Grace will make an ideal weapon to face the opposition head on.

“Not so much containing their momentum but to get a bit of our own,” Attard said.

“He had a tremendous year with Forbes last season and he is someone we can definitely build some energy off for our team.” Malta squad

Tom Vella, Jake Webster, Nathan Falzon, Aaron Weston (VC), Nathan Benson, Luke Cauchi, James Redman, Dean Zammit, Jake Attard (C), Jake Lennox, Jake Grace, Kyal Greene, Aaron Grech. Interchange

Matt Thompson, Jonathon Trott, Ben Stone, CJ Rapinette.