Malta’s Rugby Union World Cup Qualifier against Switzerland on Saturday
For the second time since taking over as national rugby director and national coach, Damian Neill’s Malta take on Switzerland with a possible World Cup Qualifying place at stake when they face their northern European neighbours at Hibs Ground on 6 April for what promises to be a titanic battle between two evenly matched sides.
In fact, many pundits give a slight edge to Switzerland and the Malta Team Management are very keen to see the stands filled with local supporters to cheer the brave Maltese lads on this time around, morale and home advantage being a clear driver of the team spirit orchestrated by the South End Core.
The Swiss narrowly lost to Malta on their home turf in 2005 but recently Switzerland impressed against current league leaders the Netherlands giving Neill and Team Manager Steve Busuttil tactical and logistics headaches. While Malta are aiming for top place in the Group, they know only too well that Switzerland’s expansive game will test Malta’s forwards and backs, with many of the probable Swiss team currently plying their trade in the renowned French league, as well as in the United Kingdom.
“The Maltese boys are very much focused on a strong performance against Switzerland,” said Busuttil, “but we know only too well that they are coming here with a mindset to repay with interest the 2005 result. We will have to be at our very best on April 6 to make this a competitive match.”
Malta face the mighty Dutchmen in Amsterdam on 13 April and will make the trip after battling it out against Switzerland. The Dutch have a big pack and are very strong up front putting a quite different set of demands on Damian Neill and his squad.
Malta Rugby is supported by Cisk Lager, Mediterranean Bank, GasanMamo who are helping to develop the next generation of Malta Rugby players, Bortex Fine Tailoring, Intercontinental Malta, Sundreams Travel, LH&A, PWC and Melita. ICE are a supporting sponsor for the upcoming international
Malta’s World Cup Qualifier match against Switzerland will take place at the Hibernians Football Stadium on April 6, kick-off at 2pm. For further information visit www.maltarugby.com or call 9988 1266.