Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens has allowed rising star forward Pat Galea to be drafted into the Maltese squad to take on Japan at BCU International Stadium this Thursday night.

Galea played at the Wests Tigers feeder Premier League team, Wests Magpies last year, but has been training with the Wests Tigers full time squad for the key part of the summer.

“I’ve been training full time for nine weeks and it’s been great” says the twenty-one year old.

The full-time training schedule comes as a welcome change to the daily grind of a full-time job as a builder.

Unrelated to the club’s senior player in Ben Galea and incoming former Panther Danny Galea, the Penrith junior himself hasn’t taken for granted the improvements being made to him as a footballer by some of rugby league’s former greats.

“It’s an adjustment from working every day but I definitely rather it this way” he declares.

“Royce (Assistant Coach) has taught me a lot on defence and Tim Sheens has worked hard on my skills like quickening up my play the ball”

“And Ciriaco Mescia has got me trying to beat myself with speed and fitness”

Galea says the transition into a full time footballer has given him a 100% edge on himself at the same time last year.

“We’ve got David Boyle working on our strength and that’s four sessions a week”

“I’ve been set my own program and I’m getting sharper and sharper” says Galea, who weighs in at a lean 103kg.

Galea isn’t mortified by his prime goal, to play in the big time.

“Its something (NRL) I’d like to achieve by the end of the year, maybe even mid year” admits Galea.

Galea’s inclusion in the Maltese team to take on Japan will be a welcome test for the Wests Tigers front rower.

“I’m sure they’ll give us all they’ve got and we owe them a lot of respect out there”

“It’ll be a good test personally as it will be my first game since I went into full time training”

The addition of Galea – who suffered a broken hand in the opening game of last year’s Sevens tournament against the Gold Coast Titans yet went on to play a further five matches, adds much needed passion and strength up front for the Maltese.

Malta Head Coach Joe Grima will now have eighteen players at his disposal leading into the international against Japan, before meddling it down to fifteen for the Sevens.

Malta takes on Japan at the BCU International Stadium at Coffs Harbour today, kicking off at 5pm.

Malta then contest the 2007 Orara Valley Sevens at Coramba Sportsground on Saturday and Sunday January, kicking off at 9am.