Neill banking on team spirit

Passion, determination and commitment are key components behind the rise of our rugby national team in international competition. Along the years, the team was pitted against superior opposition, but somehow the players managed to dig deep into their resolve and produce that extra effort which sparked them to overcome stiff hurdles.

This afternoon at Marsa, Malta, currently 52nd in the IRB world list, face the tough challenge of Poland, ranked 34th, in their second qualifier.

A win against the eastern Europeans will not only put our team in a good position in Pool D of the second qualifying round, but would almost guarantee qualification to the next stage.

The top two from each of the four pools advance to round three with third-placed sides involved in play-offs for the remaining two berths in the next stage.

Malta and Poland won their opening qualifier, both at the expense of Switzerland.

Damien Neill's Malta triumphed in Avusy 17-8 while Poland beat the Swiss at home 20-15.

The other two teams in the group are Serbia and Montenegro and Bulgaria, who sealed their place in Pool D last weekend after completing a two-legged victory over Finland in a play-off. Serbia and Bulgaria clash today week.

For Malta, this is the second participation in a complex World Cup qualifying process. They made their debut in 2000 but the experience here was bitter as the Maltese lost all their five qualifiers against Moldova (8-58), Belgium (0-26), Monaco (3-9), Lithuania (11-39) and Slovenia (5-45).

Things are looking much brighter nowadays though also thanks to the solid base left by Welsh coach Graham Richards before passing on the reins of the team to compatriot Neill.

The latest addition of prop Dean Zammit, who played professional rugby in Australia and the US, has instilled much-needed strength to the pack.

Added to the effective kicking of flyhalf Rohan Spiteri and the sharp running of Adam Magro, Charles van Moll and Nick Warren, Zammit's contribution has added more options for the new coach as the squad continues to enrich itself in quality and experience.

Today, Neill is without England-based Jamie Caruana. The full-back is on duty with the Royal Navy. Winger Chris Vassallo is also out with a shoulder injury.

Beating the Poles will be an arduous task when one considers that the visiting team is formed of several players who triumphed in the European U-18 Championships a few years back.

"Poland are undoubtedly the strongest team in our pool," Neill told The Times. "They apply their physical power as their main weapon. Our pack has to try and contain their strength as much as we can.

"But, I'm optimistic. We have enough talent in our squad to win this match. The enthusiasm, the will and passion shown by my players is something I have never seen before.

"To be honest, the squad's dedication was one key reason why I accepted the job because in these players I see a great desire to succeed.

"Against Switzerland, few people gave us a chance but the team showed great tactical discipline and in the end we prevailed."

Neill would not divulge on which tactics he has in mind against Poland, 'not to spoil them the surprise'.

However, the 34-year-old, who played his professional rugby in Wales with Maesteg and Aberavon, stressed on the importance of the local support at the Marsa stadium on the occasion of his home debut as national coach.

"I hope that the Maltese will come to Marsa in huge numbers because the team badly needs their backing," Neill said.

"Having the people behind the team will certainly push up the performance-graph of my players, particularly in difficult moments of the match.

"The players have promised me a match to remember and there's no doubt about their commitment. This match should be another exceptional one to further lift Maltese rugby."

Malta squad:

D. Zammit, T. Webb, S. Worthington, J. Rammage, H. Collins, C. Diamantino, R. Bonavia, M. Cuschieri, S. Kempster, S. Haycock, D. Grima, D. St George, J. Dimond, M. Mirabelli, R. Spiteri, A. Magro, M. Cuschieri, T. Watts, N. Warren, O. Sacco, C. von Moll, J. Sultana.

Kick-off: 2 p.m. - Marsa stadium.