Test Match Rugby: Malta to Play Croatia in Split

31.10.2009
Malta v Croatia in Split (ENC 2B)

Venue: Nada Split RFC Ground, Stari Plac

Referee: Breburda (Czech Republic)

Preview
This is the first of the ENC 2B matches this weekend. Following these matches the situation on the points table will be clearer; who will be promoted, who will be relegated.

Croatia were successful against latvia last weekend, winning comfortably 23-9. Malta has its first outing since last northern autumn. Croatia's win last weekend took it to the top of ENC 2B but needs to win again here, at home, as second placed Netherlands has a game in hand.

Malta is placed in the middle of the table. A loss could see them slide towards relegation.

Image thanks to 'Quentin' http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3250

Previous Encounters
25.10.2008 Croatia 18-16 in Marsa (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2B)
10.11.2007 Croatia 24-9 in Makarska (ENC 2B)
04.11.2006 Croatia 40-18 in Marsa (ENC 2B)
15.04.2006 Malta 26-15 in Marsa (WCQ Europe R3; Pool B)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Malta 20th, Croatia 21st

Prediction: Croatia by 4

Teams

Croatia Squad
Vedran Antić (RK Nada)
Carl Banks (North Shore RFC, NZ)
Ante Blažević Bandov (RK Nada)
Mate Borozan (RK Nada)
Tonči Buzov (RK Nada)
Goran Čulić (RK Nada)
Josip Dedić (RK Makarska Riviera)
Dominik Draženović (RK Mladost)
Ante Dražina (Olympic Club Rugby, USA)
Tomislav Gomuzak (RK Zagreb)
Duje Grubišić (RK Nada)
Većeslav Holjevac (RK Zagreb)
Luka Jureško (RK Zagreb)
Nik Jurišić (RK Mladost)
Igor Letica (RK Makarska Riviera)
Špiro Matić (RK Nada)
Filip Mijić (RK Zagreb)
Milan Milanović (RK Nada)
Josip Mrkoci (RK Makarska Riviera)
Mališa Mucić (RK Makarska Riviera)
Ante Olujić (RK Nada)
Alek Osmanović (RK Makarska Riviera)
Vedran Pomper (RK Zagreb)
Ivica Rubelj (RK Nada)
Ivica Šimić (RK Makarska Riviera)
Saša Sljepčević (RK Nada)
Ivan Šuta (RK Mladost)
Marin Tvrdić (RK Nada)
Head Coach: Jakša Lovreta

http://www.rugby.hr/index.php?option=co ... &Itemid=45

Malta team. No news at present

Malta squad. Image thanks to http://www.maltarugby.com/page.asp?n=home