Rugby: Malta A Team prepares for Messina match

Malta Independent Thursday, 15 September 2005, 00:00 Last update: about 12 years ago

After the memorable win over Denmark for qualification to round 3 of the Rugby World Cup, a pre-season tour to Sicily is being made at the end of this month. Malta ‘A’ will be travelling to Sicily on 25 September to play in Messina .

Both these sides are of a high level in Italy and national coach Damian Neil together with Neil Galea, team manager and Steve Busuttil, assistant coach, are preparing the players for a tough game with the hope of seeing favourable results.

The local boys have been training for the past six weeks and a star guest to one of the training sessions, Pat Sanderson, an England player, commended the spirit of the players who are training three times a week. The second phase of preparations saw the squad consisting of 25 players intensifying training and direct preparations for the match in Sicily.

The 25 players selected to train for the final phase before the Malta ‘A’ match in Messina are the following;

Forwards: Andrew Galea (Sharks RFC); Darren Mascena (Stompers RFC); Ian Borda (Kavallieri RFC); Leo Mifsud (Stompers RFC); Robert Bonavia (Sharks RFC); Ishmael Borg (Kavallieri RFC); Daryl Psaila (Overseas RFC); David Borg (Kavallieri RFC); David Gasan (Alligators RFC); Joseph Cutajar (Kavallieri RFC); Pierre Azzopardi (Kavallieri RFC); Chris Vassallo (Kavallieri RFC); Daniel Grima (Kavallieri RFC); Piers Allen (Overseas RFC).

Backs: Matthew Mirabelli (Stompers RFC); Patrick Satariano (Stompers RFC); Reuben Vella (Kavallieri RFC); Malcolm Attard (Stompers RFC);

Michael Bonavia (Kavallieri RFC); Edward Axisa (Alligators RFC); Roderick Attard (Kavallieri RFC); Mario Fountain (Stompers RFC); Pierre Micallef (Alligators RFC); Nicholas Vella (Sharks RFC); Morgan Chetcuti (Overseas RFC).

It is hoped that season 2005/6 will be the season where more local players gain the experience required to make the necessary improvement towards pushing for the national team to play in the next round of RWC 2007.

Those players who are interested in playing for the Malta ‘A’ should pick up their fitness and train regularly with their clubs during the season. Mr. Neill will be monitoring any potential talent that has so far been overlooked within the local Rugby Community, especially from the emerging juniors.