Neill in high spirits ahead of match with Latvia

National coach Damien Neill was in confident mood yesterday ahead of the crunch European Nations Cup qualifier against Latvia at the Hibs Ground tomorrow (kick-off: 2 p.m.).

The Maltese go into this match on the back of a 24-9 defeat to Croatia in Makarska last weekend that left the team in fourth place in the group with seven points, like Andorra but with a better score difference.

Latvia are one place ahead of Malta in the Group 2B standings, on 10 points and with a match in hand. They still have a chance to reach Poland at the top of the standings but with the bottom team losing its status in the division, victory for Malta is a primary objective. Neill is adamant that the national team will reach its target.

"We are going to beat Latvia," Neill told journalists at Corradino yesterday.

"The players have been training hard for this match and they have reached a very good physical condition.

"We deserved better against Croatia. We dominated possession for long stretches and had several chances to score. I am sure the players will respond with a spirited performance against Latvia."

The Latvians are no new opponents for Neill. Ranked 42nd in the IRB rankings, they have already beaten Malta, ranked 55th, 27-16 in Riga in 2006.

"They are a very physical side whose major strength lies in their enormous pack," Neill said. "We cannot match Latvia's power so the only way for us will be to try and move the ball around fluidly."

The Welshman confirmed the same group of players who travelled to Croatia last week with Rohan Spiteri the only doubt after the Goulburn Stockmen fly-half sustained a slight groin strain in training at the Marsa Sports Ground yesterday morning.

Malta Rugby Football Union (MRFU) president Juan Borg Manduca said tomorrow's match will be a crucial test for the team. He expects another bumper crowd at the Hibs Ground to roar the team on.

"The home support will encourage the lads to fight their way through in this tough game," Borg Manduca said.

"We are pleased that the South End Core will be present to help us create a colourful atmosphere on the stands. I urge our fans to come and give their full support at the Hibs Ground."

Game's promotion

Borg Manduca then spoke about the Union's plans to increase the popularity of rugby at grassroot levels. They have embarked on a project, he said, aimed at introducing the game in various schools. So far, the response was very encouraging.

"The only way forward is to try and increase the number of beginners who take up this sport," Borg Manduca said.

"Last year, Neill and his assistants started introducing the game in various schools all over the country. We were very impressed to see that by the end of the term, there were more than 5,000 children who were playing rugby.

"This time we have gone a step further and appointed a Youth Director within our fold.

"He is visiting schools regularly, conducting training sessions and introducing the game at different levels.

"This week, we organised a tournament for schools. The response was incredible... we had to change the format from seven-a-side to 10-a-side matches.

"Now, we want to carry on with this trend. With the sport established and a steady crop of young players coming up, we can look forward to better prospects for our domestic league."

The squad

D. Psaila (Overseas), D. Borg (Kavallieri), D. Busuttil (Beddau RFC, UK), G. Kennedy (Queanbeyan Whites, Australia), H. Collins (Hartpury College, UK), I. Borda (Kavallieri), J. Finlason (Hove, UK), J. Bartolo (Edinburgh Academicals, UK), R. Spiteri (Goulburn Stockmen, Australia), L. Culnane (Tuggeranong Vikings, Australia), L. Mifsud (Stompers), M. Attard (Stompers), M. Mirabelli (Stompers), M. Attard (Stompers), M. Whitney (Cirencester, UK), M. McArdle (Ealing, UK), N. Warren (Wootton Bassett, UK), O. Sacco (Clifton, UK), R. Borg (Cronulla Sharks, Australia), E. Zarb (Easts Rugby Canberra, Australia), S. Kempster (Tring, UK), T. Webb (Eton Manor, UK), T. Watts (Old Coventrians, UK).

Current standings

Poland 16 points (+131 difference); Croatia 12 (+6); Latvia 10 (+20); Malta 7 (-74); Andorra 7 (-83).