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Home , Adriaan Strauss, Alberto Sgarbi, Alex Corbisiero, Ayumu Goromaru, Benjamin Kayser, Benn Robinson

Croatia Versus Malta

Captain Dominic Busuttil to lead Malta against Croatia

Malta fresh from their win against Lithuania 13-10, now face the team they have played the most times in history. Eight times they have met in either European Nations Cup games or playoffs. The Croatians have won 6 and Malta 2. Croatia has a strong connection with , with many Croatians immigrating there in the early 1900s, working as gum diggers(that is not a dentist!) and later many went on to begin the Wine industry in New Zealand. There are many Dalmatian Clubs throughout the land. There'll always be a couple of Kiwis in their team. They will be big up front and usually have a fly half that dictates play well, we will need to shut down their options.

Malta are missing the Holloway boys at scrumhalf and standoff, they are both injured, but they have made the journey from to see the game, stating "We are family, we are all in this together!" That is the spirit of this team, not so big men but with BIG Hearts.

Malta Squad(from last week's game) R Apsee, A. Kennedy, D. Holliday, C. Schranz, D. Deguara, S. Borg, D. Apsee, M. Davey, V. Stivala, J. Morris, J. O’Brien, D. Busuttil, T. Quarendon, M. Camilleri, J. Kirk, D. Cerketa, J. Ellul, J. Cutajar, C. Briffa, M. Galea, L. Debattista, R. Borg.

Kickoff at Hibernians Ground, Paola is at 14.00hrs.

Be There!

Malta go into their FIRA European Nations Cup Division 2A match against Croatia on Saturday November 9th at Hibernians with a secret weapon, they have a 16th man in the team, namely Gozitan opera star Miriam Cauchi who will be singing the Maltese national anthem immediately before the match kicks off.

Malta, who emerged from a tussle against Lithuania last Saturday away from home with a slender win, know they need every possible physical and psychological edge to be competitive against the skillful Croatians. Damian Neill’s Malta side are struggling with injuries to established players and news that one of the world’s star sopranos will be sending them into battle will undoubtedly raise spirits.

Malta Rugby said that “Soprano, Miriam Cauchi very kindly offered to lend her support to the Malta National Rugby Team and she will be singing the Maltese national anthem which will have many of the expected 4000 fans filling Hibernians singing along with her.”

“Sports stadiums are probably the world’s best theatrical stages,” said Team Manager Steve Busutil. “Performing in them is an important way to spread music to audiences and show what a tangible and important effect it can have on people, not just the fans in the stadium at Hibernians or watching on TV, but also the Maltese players lined-up on the pitch.

“It’s a vital moment prior to the game when emotions are high, it doesn’t get any better than having such a big star putting her voice behind us. If Miriam Cauchi manages to transfer her passion to the Maltese players and fans this Saturday it will be an awe-inspiring affair,” said Busuttil.

Malta returned from Lithuania on Sunday and started preparations at home with a squad made up of fifteen locally-based players. Malta’s hopes of retaining their place in FIRA’s European Division 2A depend on a positive result in Saturday’s match against Croatia at Hibs, and a defeat could spell concrete relegation worries.

The Maltese are currently one place off bottom in a five-team group, a slender four points ahead of Lithuania who are languishing at the foot of the table. Malta uncharacteristically had back-to-back defeats to Switzerland and the Netherlands earlier in the year which has left the national rugby team scrambling to avoid the drop.

With the bottom team automatically relegated and the fourth-placed side facing a play-off for survival, the Maltese will be desperate to claim maximum points on Saturday and avoid slipping down to Division 2B. Croatia lost to Switzerland 11-26 last Saturday.

Pressure is on both sides to avoid the relegation play-off or worse. Malta climbed from 49 to 45, and Croatia dropped from 52 to 55 in the World Rankings after last Saturday’s results. Perhaps taking the song into their hearts from Miriam Cauchi’s rousing national anthem will be the fuel that ignites the fire for the Maltese national rugby union team

Keep your eyes on the Ball!

Australia Versus Can get any worse, they are just not firing, but stuttering, seems they need to change the carburettor or get a new engine! They need something to drive them, they need some Ozzie flair, they need to chance their arm, throw caution to the wind and just go for it. Italy will stay with them for the first half, but I think will find it difficult to turn them over.

Simons back in the side at Blindside.

Australia: 15 , 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 , 12 , 11 Nick Cummins, 10 , 9 , 8 (c), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Rob Simmons, 5 , 4 , 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James . Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 , 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Liam Gill, 21 , 22 Christian Leali'ifano, 23

Parisse an inspiration as Captain

Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Tommaso Benevenuti, 13 , 12 , 11 , 10 Alberto Di Bernardo, 9 , 8 (capt), 7 , 6 , 5 , 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 , 2 , 1 . Replacements: 16 , 17 Matias Aguero, 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 Tobias Botes, 22 , 23 Tommaso Iannone.

Date: Saturday, November 9 Kick-off: 15:00 local (14:00 GMT) Venue: Stadio di Olimpico, Turin. Malta: Salisbury Arms Pub, Sliema. The Dubliner, Spinola Bay. Black Gold, The Strand, Sliema Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Assistant Referees: (), () TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

A feast of Rugby, you'll need about three TVs to it all, as some games overlap. It is great to see the teams as they introduce the next generation of Rugby players for the Rugby World Cup 2015. will host the 2019 RWC, so they are looking to push on to another level in their preparations. They beat a depleted Welsh team in the summer and are now looking for another scalp to put on their . They played with quite an intensity against the All Blacks last week, but the Men in Black finally ground them down, but they lack nothing in passion, commitment and honour. They just need to breed some of those Sumo wrestlers to produce a bit more size in their forward pack.

Japan Versus Scotland

Tanaka the Highlanders scrumhalf at 9 for Japan.

Japan: 15 , 14 (c), 13 Male Sau, 12 , 11 , 10 , 9 , 8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani, 7 , 6 , 5 Shinya Makabe, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 , 2 , 1 Masataka Mikami. Replacements: 16 Yusuke Aoki, 17 Yusuke Nagae, 18 , 19 , 20 Takashi Kikutani, 21 Atsushi Hiwasa, 22 , 23 Yoshikazu Fujita.

Kelly Brown to Captain the Scots. Scotland: 15 , 14 , 13 , 12 , 11 , 10 , 9 , 8 , 7 (c), 6 Al Strokosch, 5 Al Kellock, 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 . Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Al Dickinson, 18 , 19 Richie Gray, 20 John Barclay, 21 Henry Prygos, 22 , 23 Duncan Taylor

Date: Saturday, November 9 Kick-off: 14:30 GMT Venue: Murrayfield. Malta: Salisbury Arms Pub, Sliema. The Dubliner, Spinola Bay. Black Gold, The Strand, Sliema Referee: JP Doyle (England) Assistant Referees: (), Greg Garner (England) TMO: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)

Argentina Versus England

Argentina: No team list going to print.

Joe Marler comes into a changed Front row.

England: 15 , 14 Christ Ashton, 13 , 12 , 11 , 10 , 9 , 8 , 7 , 6 , 5 , 4 , 3 David Wilson, 2 , 1 . Replacements: 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 .

Date: Saturday, November 9 Venue: Twickenham. Malta: Salisbury Arms Pub, Sliema. The Dubliner, Spinola Bay. Black Gold, The Strand, Sliema Kick-off: 14:30 GMT. Malta Time: 15.30hrs. Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France) Assistant referees: (New Zealand), () TMO: Iain Ramage (Scotland)

South Africa Versus Wales.

Is this the moment when Wales plays the whole 80 minutes to their potential and clean out a Southern Hemisphere team? Stacked with Lions from the tour downunder in the summer, the Welshmen would be thinking that this is the day, this is the hour! This will be a great tussle, tactics will play a big part, the Welsh back three will have a busy afternoon and up front it will be a war of attrition, the breakdown will be crucial. The roof will be open, so the elements may play a part. Should be a great game.

Jacque Fourie back from injury.

South Africa: 15 , 14 JP Pietersen, 13 , 12 , 11 , 10 Morné Steyn, 9 , 8 , 7 , 6 , 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 . Replacements: 16 , 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 , 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 , 21 , 22 JJ Engelbrecht, 23 .

Priestland at 10 for the Holy battle!

Wales: 15 , 14 , 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Liam Williams 10 , 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 (c), 6 , 5 Alun , 4 , 3 Adam Jones, 2 , 1 . Replacements: 16 , 17 , 18 Scott Andrews, 19 , 20 , 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 , 23 Liam Williams.

Date: Saturday, November 9 Kick-off: 17:30 GMT. Malta Time: 18.30hrs Venue: , . Malta: Salisbury Arms Pub, Sliema. The Dubliner, Spinola Bay. Black Gold, The Strand, Sliema Referee: (Ireland) Assistant Referees: George Clancy (Ireland), (Italy) TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Samoa Versus Ireland Samoa is in mourning after the death of Peter Fatialofa (54), one of Samoa's favourite sons, who played three World Cups for Samoa and had a long career playing for , New Zealand. An inspiration to several generations of Samoan Rugby players. A man with a big heart, who gave his all, to every team he played for. He Captained the Samoan team that defeated the Welsh in the 1991 RWC.

Kahn Fatuali'i at scrumhalf fro Samoa.

Samoa: 15 Faatoina Autagavaia, 14 Alapati Leuia, 13 George Pisi, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Brando Vaaulu, 10 , 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Teofilo Paulo, 4 Faatiga Lemalu, 3 Logovi'i Mulipola, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo. Replacements: 16 Tii Paulo, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 James Johnston, 19 Joe Tekori, 20 Alafoti Faosilivia, 21 Jeremy Sua, 22 Isaia Tuifua, 23 Fautua Otto.

Heaslip leads Ireland on Saturday

Ireland: 15 , 14 , 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 , 9 , 8 (c), 7 Chris Henry, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 , 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 , 2 , 1 Jack McGrath. Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 , 18 Declan Fitzpatrick, 19 Paul O'Connell, 20 Sean O'Brien, 21 , 22 , 23 .

Date: Saturday, November 9 Kick-off: 17:45 GMT. Malta Time: 18.45hrs. Venue: , . Malta: Salisbury Arms Pub, Sliema. The Dubliner, Spinola Bay. Black Gold, The Strand, Sliema Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia) Assistant referees: (England), Luke Pearce (England) Television match official: Carlo Damasco (Italy) Assessor: Lyndon Bray (SANZAR)

New Zealand Versus France. The French get you out of your comfort zone by playing at midnight or some other ungodly hour, then they tell you that half the team has measles, chickenpox or dementia, so you don't know where you are playing, at what time and against whom! Then they ambush you at the pass! Never take them lightly, at your peril, if they switch on the passion and the pace, no team can stay with them. They lost 3 tests in New Zealand in June, but many a player did not make that tour. The New Zealanders will have to be at the of their game from the kickoff and not let Les get a sniff of victory. Tactically the All Blacks outplayed the French in New Zealand, they brought the unexpected to the games. Let's see what they bring come Saturday. They are bringing the most capped All Black team in history.

Piutau on the wing for NZ.

New Zealand: 15 , 14 , 13 , 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Charles Piatau, 10 , 9 Aaron Smith, 8 , 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 , 5 , 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 Tony Woodcock. Replacements: 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 Steven Luatua, 20 , 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 , 23 .

Morgan Parra back at scrumhalf for France.

France: 15 , 14 , 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Maxime Médard, 10 Rémi Talès, 9 , 8 Damian Chouly, 7 , 6 (capt), 5 , 4 Pascal Papé, 3 , 2 , 1 Yannick Forestier. Replacements: 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 20 , 21 Jean-Marc Doussain, 22 , 23 Gael Fickou.

Date: Saturday, November 9 Kick-off: 21:00 (local) Venue: , Paris Referee: (South Africa) Assistant Referees: (Wales), (South Africa) TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland) Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

Maori All Blacks Versus America

The Maori All Blacks played well against a Canadian side who took the game to them, the Canucks were missing a few key players. On the day both teams were coached by men from Taranaki, New Zealand (did I ever tell you I'm from there! Probably not!) It was a physical battle in front of the biggest crowd that Canada has put together 22,700. The game is growing in Canada and recently they beat their old foe USA. America will be out to get a win, to show that defeat was just a blip, in their preparations for RWC 2015, it has steeled their resolve!

The Ginger headed Maori, , in the Cruden mould, comes in at 10.

Maori All Blacks: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 , 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Tim Bateman (capt), 11 Matt Proctor, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 , 7 Luke Braid, 6 , 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 , 1 . Replacements: 16 Joe Royal, 17 , 18 Nick Barrett, 19 Luke Katene, 20 , 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Jackson Willison, 23 .

USA: No team list when going to print.

Date: Saturday, November 9 Kick-off: 19:00 local, 03:00 GMT. Malta Time: 04.00hrs Venue: PPL Park, Philadelphia. Malta: In your dreams! Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada)

Tell your wife you will take her out for dinner on Sunday!

Until Next time,

Stay in Touch,

Regards,

Bryan Corlett