Malta Rugby League
Team
Malta Knights

Last Result:

2012 Dove Men+Care International Series
Malta 74
Denmark 12
Gentofte Stadion, Copenhagen, Denmark
* Malta wins 2012 Dove Men+Care International Series

 
Malta XIII

The Malta XIII last played on 15 October 2011 v Leeds Akkies at Melita FC, Pembroke,
losing 30-10.
The team was:

MALTA KNIGHTS
Calvin Briffa
Sammy Kawara
Charles Sala
Anthony Basacomas
Joey Criminale
Malcolm Attard
Darren Edmunds
Gary Hili
Justin Barlogio
Clifford Debattista
Graham Kombo
Liam Grima
Dom Grima
Subs:
Joe Paolella
Malcolm Lungaro-Mifsud
Kevin Buttigieg
Mark Portelli
Coach: Mr Anthony Micallef
Physio: Mr Steve Cilia

 

 
Honour Roll

MALTA KNIGHTS APPEARANCES
NUMBER - PLAYER - CLUB - DEBUT - DATE
1/ Anthony Xuereb (ex Penrith Panthers NRL) - v British Defence Forces (25 Sept 2004)
2/ Simon Micallef (Parramatta Eels)
3/ Paul Galea (Illawarra A Grade)
4/ Rohan Spiteri (Quenbeyan)
5/ Matt Zammit (Doonside Roos)
6/ Ben Sammut (ex Sharks NRL)
7/ Ryan Borg (Wests Magpies)
8/ Stephen Vincenti (Ourimbah Magpies)
9/ Damien Attard
10/ Kevin Vassallo
11/ Dallas Weston (ex Parramatta Eels NRL)
12/ Steven Azzopardi (Wentworthville)
13/ Bradley Clews (Blacktown City)
14/ Steven Galea (Wentworthville)
15/ Matt Dux (Blacktown City)
16/ Michael Azzopardi
17/ Shane Magro
18/ Johnny Micallef (Doonside Roos) - v Fiji A (16 Oct 2004)
19/ Paul Marzella (Parramatta Eels)
20/ Adam Demanuele (Brothers)
21/ Willie Grech (Mounties)
22/ Danny Mamo (ex Eels NRL)
23/ David Dux (Blacktown City)
24/ Daniel Spiteri (Newcastle Knights) - v Greece (8 Oct 2005)
25/ Luke Branighan (Balmain Tigers)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26/ Pat Galea (Wests Magpies)
27/ Paul Harris (Narellan Jets)
28/ Brendan Russell (Brothers, Mackay)
29/ Robert Bonavia (Sharks RFC, Malta) - England Lionhearts (22 Oct 2005)
30/ Peter Bonanno (Wentworthville Magpies) - v Lebanon (8 Oct 2006)
31/ Jeremy Lateo (Burleigh Bears)
32/ Jarrod Sammut (Penrith Panthers NRL)
33/ Terry Bonanno - (Wentworthville Magpies) v Japan (25 Jan 2007)
34/ Tyson Muscat (North Sydney Bears)
35/ Michael Grech (Marrickville RSL)
36/ Ross Sammut
37/ Zack Williams (Moranbah Miners)
38/ Ian Catania (St G/Illawarra) - v Portugal (6 Oct 2007)
39/ Travis Robinson (Chester Hill)
40/ Luke Sant (Sharks)
41/ Luke Vella (Penrith Panthers)
42/ Roderick Attard (Kavallieri RFC) - v British Defence Forces (13 Oct 07)
43/ Pierre Azzopardi (Kavallieri RFC)
44/ Ian Borda (Kavallieri RFC)
45/ Sean Doublesin (Kavallieri RFC)
46/ Peter Curmi (unattached)
47/ Romeo De Georgio (Kavallieri RFC)
48/ Daniel Grima (Kavallieri RFC)
49/ John Micallef Moreno (Sharks RFC)
50/ Leo Mifsud (Stompers RFC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51/ Chris Vassallo (Kavallieri RFC)
52/ Andrew Zammit Manduca (Sharks RFC)
53/ Calvin Briffa (North RL) - v Bamber Bridge ARLFC (3 Oct 2009)
54/ Tyson Freeman (North RL)
55/ Mark Cortis (South RL)
56/ Paul Bartlett (Cardiff Demons)
57/ Sergio Pisani (North RL)
58/ Malcolm Attard (North RL)
59/ Christopher Parker (Gateshead Thunder)
60/ Paul Borg (Widnes St Maries)
61/ Daryl Psaila (South RL)
62/ Matthew Spagnol (South RL)
63/ Josef Zahra (South RL)
64/ Dean Muscat (North RL)
65/ Mark Seychell (North RL)
66/ Shaun Bartlett (Cardiff Demons) - v Norway (4 June 2010)
67/ Jurgen Pavanello
68/ Chris Morton (North RL)
69/ Charlie Bonanno (Parramatta Eels)
70/ Joss Howland (North RL)
71/ Clayton Cassar (South RL)
72/ Peter Bradley (South RL)
73/ Clifford Debattista (North RL)
74/ Graham Attard (South RL)
75/ Matthew Von Brockdorff (North RL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76/ Matthew Camilleri (South) - v Lancashire (17 Oct 2010)
77/ John Dimond (Barry RFC)
78/ Matt Mizzi (Hemel Stags)
79/ Shaun Gilmour (Warrington Wizards)
80/ Jonathan Bonnici (North RL)
81/ Dario Schembri (South RL)
82/ Joey Criminale (North RL) - v Germany (23 July 2011)
83/ Matthew Frendo (North RL)
84/ Dom Grima
85/ Daniel Marzella (Hammersmith)
86/ Liam Grima (Dudley Hill)
87/ Justin Barlogio (North RL)
88/ Shan Francois Hussain (Gozo)
89/ Gary Hili (Gozo) - v Norway (2 Sept 2011)
90/ Dylan Frendo (Malta Origin) - v Denmark (9 June 2012)
91/ Sam Keep (Malta Origin)
92/ Paul Parkinson (Gateshead Spartans)
93/ Joey Davies (Maltese Exiles)
94/ Dragan Cerketa (Sliema Stompers)
95/ Joe Paolella (Malta Origin)
96/ Ed Willis (Sliema Stompers)
97/ John Ellul (Sliema Stompers)
98/ Danny Burke (London Skolars)
99/ Jonathan Magrin (London Broncos)
100/ Carl Grima (Flimby)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MALTA XIII APPEARANCES
NUMBER - PLAYER - DEBUT VS
1/ Roderick Attard - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
2/ Scott Cable - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
3/ Mark Cortis - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
4/ Tyson Freeman - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
5/ Daniel Grima - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
6/ Robert Henry - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
7/ Chris Mallia - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
8/ John Micallef-Moreno - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
9/ Sergio Pisani - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
10/ Chris Sammut - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
11/ Vince Stivala - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
12/ Gareth Swailes - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
13/ Samuel Zammit - v Scotland/Gateshead Thunder U18's
14/ Jarrod Sammut - v Italy XIII
15/ Simon Micallef - v Italy XIII
16/ Guy Borgas - v Italy XIII
17/ Ian Catania - v Italy XIII
18/ Brendan Russell - v Italy XIII
19/ Ryan Borg - v Italy XIII
20/ Scott Borg - v Italy XIII
21/ Pat Galea - v Italy XIII
22/ Dane Snelson - v Italy XIII
23/ Bradley Clews - v Italy XIII
24/ Matt Desira - v Italy XIII
25/ Tyson Muscat - v Italy XIII
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26/ Luke Vella - v Italy XIII
27/ Steven Azzopardi - v Italy XIII
28/ Aaron Grech - v Italy XIII
29/ Paul Harris - v Italy XIII
30/ Zack Williams - v Italy XIII
31/ Calvin Briffa - v Leeds Akkies (15 October 2011)
32/ Sammy Kawara - v Leeds Akkies
33/ Charles Sala - v Leeds Akkies
34/ Anthony Basacomas - v Leeds Akkies
35/ Joey Criminale - v Leeds Akkies
36/ Malcolm Attard - v Leeds Akkies
37/ Darren Edmunds - v Leeds Akkies
38/ Gary Hili - v Leeds Akkies
39/ Justin Barlogio - v Leeds Akkies
40/ Clifford Debattista - v Leeds Akkies
41/ Graham Kombo - v Leeds Akkies
42/ Liam Grima - v Leeds Akkies
43/ Dom Grima - v Leeds Akkies
44/ Joe Paolella - v Leeds Akkies
45/ Malcolm Lungaro-Mifsud - v Leeds Akkies
46/ Kevin Buttigieg - v Leeds Akkies
47/ Mark Portelli - v Leeds Akkies

 

MALTA NATIONAL TEAM COACHING APPOINTMENTS
Head Coach Period Matches
Opposition
Mr Joseph Grima2004-20089
(6W, 3L)

British Defence Forces (2004/W)
Fiji A (2004/L)
Greece (2005/W)
England Lionhearts (2005/W)
Lebanon (2006/L)
Japan (2007/W)
Portugal (2007/W)
Italy XIII (2008/L)
Portugal XIII (2008/W)

Mr Tony Farr2007
1 (1W)
British Defence Forces (2008/W)
Mr Anthony Micallef 2009-Current7
(5W, 2L)
Bamber Bridge (2009/W)
Norway (2010 Euro Bowl/W)
Lancashire BARLA (2010/L)
Germany (2011 Euro Shield/L)
Norway (2011 Euro Shield/W)
Denmark (2012 Int.Series/W)

Denmark (2012 Int.Series/W)


M
ALTA NATIONAL TEAM CAPTAINCY APPOINTMENTS

CaptainClub
Period Matches
Opposition
Dallas Weston
ex North Sydney Bears 2004

1
(1W)

 British Defence Forces (2004/W)
Ben Sammut
ex Cronulla Sharks 2004-20089
(6W, 3L)

Fiji A (2004/L)
Greece (2005/W)
England Lionhearts (2005/W)
Lebanon (2006/L)
Japan (2007/W)
Portugal (2007/W)
Italy XIII (2008/L)
Portugal XIII (2008/W)
British Defence Forces (2008/W)

Daniel Grima North RL 2009-20113
(2W, 1L)
Bamber Bridge (2009/W)
Norway (2010 Euro Bowl/W)
Lancashire BARLA (2010/L)
Chris Parker
Gateshead Thunder 2011-Current
4 (3W, 1L)
Germany (2011 Euro Shield/L)
Norway (2011 Euro Shield/W)
Denmark (2012 Int.Series/W)

Denmark (2012 Int.Series/W)

 

NATIONAL TEAM CAPTAINCY APPOINTMENTS BY FIXTURES

OppositionPlayer
Club
British Defence Forces
Dallas WestonEx North Sydney Bears/Parramatta Eels
Fiji A
Ben Sammut
Ex Cronulla Sharks
Greece
Ben Sammut
Ex Cronulla Sharks
England Lionhearts
Ben Sammut
Ex Cronulla Sharks
Lebanon
Ben Sammut
Ex Cronulla Sharks
Japan
Ben Sammut
Ex Cronulla Sharks
Portugal
Ben Sammut
Ex Cronulla Sharks
Italy XIII
Ben Sammut
Ex Cronulla Sharks
Portugal XIII
Ben Sammut
Ex Cronulla Sharks
British Defence Forces
Ben SammutEx Cronulla Sharks
Bamber Bridge ARLFC
Daniel Grima
North RL
Norway
Daniel Grima
North RL
Lancashire
Daniel Grima
North RL
Germany
Chris ParkerGateshead Thunder
Norway
Chris Parker
Gateshead Thunder
Denmark
Chris Parker
Gateshead Storm and Maltese Exiles
Denmark
Chris Parker
Gateshead Storm and Maltese Exiles

 

Dallas Weston played professional rugby league for the Parramatta Eels and North Sydney Bears in Australia. Weston also represented NSW City in 1993. Weston captained the Malta Knights in their first ever match at Melita Stadium in Sydney in 2004.

A long term bicep injury in his debut as captain then limited his ability to represent the national team until his return to the national team for one appearance when Malta took on Lebanon in 2006.

 

 

Ben Sammut played professional rugby league for the Sharks in Australia and the Gateshead Thunder and Hull FC in England's Super League. Sammut captained Malta in their first ever rugby league international on Maltese soil in 2005 and is the longest serving (2004 to 2008) captain of the Malta Knights.

Found at fullback in his junior days, Sammut moved into the halves for Malta and decided to call it a day in rugby league with retirement at Floriana Stadium when Malta overcame the British Defence Forces 34 to 24 in 2007.

Ben is the longest serving captain of the Malta national team with 10 appearances, nine as captain.

 

Daniel Grima (D.O.B. 31-8-1974), from St Paul's Bay, was the first ever Maltese based captain of the Malta national rugby league team, debuting as skipper in 2009 and leading the Malta Knights into official European competition against Norway in 2010.

Daniel was introduced to rugby league late in his rugby career and made his national team debut in 2007, aged 33, against the British Defence Forces at Floriana Stadium, Floriana.

Daniel is a dual rugby international having previously played for Malta's national rugby union team. Daniel still plays rugby union and has spent all but one season (Valletta Lions RFC) with Kavallieri RFC.

Within the Malta Rugby League Championship, Grima plyed his trade for the North RL. Daniel has also been very active in MRL initiatives such as Wheelchair Rugby League, Tag Rugby League and as a match-day volunteer.

Daniel retired formally before the 2011 European Shield, later surprising everyone with an appearance for the depleted Malta team against Norway in Malta's home fixture of the 2011 European Shield after a last ditch call for him to play by Malta coach Anthony Micallef.

 

Chris Parker (D.O.B. 5-12-1982), was appointed captain of the Malta national rugby league team ahead of the 2011 European Shield clash against Germany in Hochspeyer. Previously, Parker had served as vice-captain for three matches.

Parker played at semi-pro level as prop forward with Gateshead Thunder in England's Championship One competition.

Further to the RFL-North East’s relationship with the MRL, Parker was referred to the MRL by former Malta international and ex Gateshead Thunder team mate Luke Branighan, and in 2010, the 29-year-old was awarded the Ray Morris Medal for 2009/2010 Maltese Rugby League Player of the Year.

In October 2011, Parker commenced the formation of the Maltese Exiles, a concept designed to locate Maltese eligible players playing across the UK and gives players of Maltese heritage to play together in 13-a-side fixtures in the UK.

Chris' wikipedia page can be found by clicking here.

 

 
Statistics

Statistics are compiled for the Malta Rugby League (MRL) by Mr Anthony Axiak.

 
Coaching Staff

Head Coach - Anthony Micallef

Anthony Micallef took over as caretaker coach of the Malta national team in 2009. His caretaker role later extended to head coach largely thanks to logistics proving a difficult exercise for previous coaches Joe Grima (and his assistant Tony Farr) to look after the national team from Australia.

Micallef is a RLEF Level 2 coach and RLEF Level 1 Tutor, accredited at London's Brunel University also has experience in coaching the Serbia U16's national team in Belgrade in 2011 when applying for his level 1 tutors certificate. He is an RLEF Match Officials Educator and has also delivered such courses at Spain's Institut Nacional d’Educació de Catalunya.

Based in Malta, the Australian-Maltese rugby league administrator has led the national team to win the 2010 RLEF European Bowl, joint first place (second on points differential) of the 2011 RLEF European Shield against Germany and Norway; and rates the second half performance of Malta against Norway in 2011 as the greatest half of football one of his teams has been involved in - when the Maltese scored 40 points to nil against their Scandinavian opposition. In 2012, he led Malta to win the Dove Men+Care International Series with a 2-0 home and away series whitewash over Denmark.

In his first years in coaching, Micallef experienced much success coaching at junior level in the Penrith District Junior Rugby League in Australia with the St Marys club before his move to Malta in 2008.

With the Maltese team, Micallef regularly praises the assistance of key senior players including national team captain Chris Parker and Bradford Bulls star Jarrod Sammut for their leadership and mentor roles they fulfill throughout visits to Malta in representing the national team. Locally, Micallef has been well served his his co-coaches on and off the field in Clifford Debattista and Roderick Attard.

Micallef has a coaching record of 5 and 2 at the helm of the Malta national team which was as highly ranked as 20 in the RLIF international rankings in 2012.

D.O.B: 30 March 1982
Place of Birth:
Fairfield, Australia
Nickname:
Choc
Favourite Food:
Fenkata
Favourite Music:
Top 40
Favourite Place in Malta:
Gnejna Bay
Favourite Travel Destination:
Paris, Morocco and Serbia
Favourite Rugby League Team:
Penrith Panthers
Best Rugby League Player in the World:
Andrew Johns when he played with Newcastle Knights
Special Moment:
A Challenge Cup Final at London's Wembley Stadium
Interests away from Rugby League:
Travelling, Family, Event Management, Meeting new People

 

Australia-based Coaches: Joe Grima and Tony Farr

The Australia-based duo of Joe Grima and Tony Farr led Maltese Rugby League throughout its early fixtures in Australia from 2004 to 2008 with Grima taking charge of Malta's international in Malta in 2005 and Farr holding the caretaker role in 2008 against the British Defence Forces.

Today, Grima is an integral part of the St George-Illawarra Dragons setup where he is the Assistant Coach to the NRL team. An ARL Level 3 High Performance Coach, Joe Grima was a founding director of the Malta Rugby League (MRL) in 2004. Grima, or Joey as he is affectionately known, was awarded life membership at the Parramatta Eels.

Joe's playing saw him play through Harold Matthews, SG Ball Cup, Jersey Flegg and Presidents Cup at the Parramatta Eels before moving to Western Suburbs. He also reprsented NSW Combined Catholic Colleges in the Australian Championships.

Together with assistant coach Tony Farr, the coaches enjoyed success with the MRL including Malta's last minute victory over Greece in Sydney and a smashing performance against Portugal in 2008.

Malta National Team Medical Trainer (Australia)
Mr Joe Clews

Malta National Team Trainers (Australia)
Mr Peter Cassar
Mr Peter Curmi
Mr Ryan Cosgrove
Ms Ashley Clews

Malta National Team Doctor (Australia)
Dr Louis Shidiak

Malta National Team Medical Trainer/Physiotherapist (Malta)
Mr Steven Cilia

Malta National Team Trainers (Malta)
Mr Roy Newbould
Mr Roderick Attard

MRL Coaching Department (Malta)
Mr Roderick Attard (RLEF Level 2 Coach)
Mr Clifford Debattista (RLEF Level 2 Coach)
Mr Anthony Micallef (RLEF Level 2 Coach)

MRL Match Officials Department (Malta)
Ms Nadia Gosney (RLEF Match Officials Tutor)
Mr Anthony Micallef (RLEF Match Officials Tutor)

Malta Wheelchair Rugby League Head Coach
Mr Anthony Micallef (RLEF Level 2 Coach)

Malta Ladies Rugby League Head Coach
Mr Joss Howland

***********************************************************
Maltese Championship Club Coaching Appointments

Gozo RL Head Coach
Mr Clifford Debattista

Kavallieri RL Head Coach
Mr Roderick Attard

Malta Origin Head Coach
Mr Anthony Micallef

Sliema Stompers Head Coach
Mr Malcolm Attard

Note: The appointments of head coach for the Malta Wheelchair and Malta Womens rugby league teams are made by the MRL and as fixtures are sporadic in nature, the head coach will appoint assisting staff he/she sees fit for the respective fixtures.

 
Directors

Board of Directors
The Malta Rugby League (MRL) is directed by a voluntary Board of Directors based internationally across Malta, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Capacity
DirectorPeriod on MRL Board of Directors
Residence
PresidentMr Mark Sultana2004-Current
Australia
Secretary
Mr David Axisa
2004-Current
Australia
Treasurer
Ms Veronica Vella
2006-CurrentEngland
Malta Operations ManagerMr Anthony Micallef
2004-Current
Malta
Board Member
Mr Bradley Clews
2009-Current
Australia
Board Member
Mrs Daniela Grech
2009-Current
Australia
 
Governing Council

Governing Council – Australia
In Australia, the MRL is also assisted by the MRL Governing Council.

The Governing Council is charged with looking after the following sectors of the MRL;

- Events
- National Team
- Merchandising
- Miss Malta Knight Pageant
- Playing Squad
- Sponsorship

Maltese Exiles - United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the Maltese Exiles are managed by Malta's Gateshead based national team captain Chris Parker.

The Exiles may participate in fixtures and competitions across the UK. The aim of the Exiles is to promote Maltese Rugby League and to locate Maltese eligible players playing across UK competitions.

The Exiles' webpage can be found by clicking here or going to http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/malteseexiles/.

Governing Council – Malta
In Malta, the MRL is also assisted by the MRL Governing Council.

The Governing Council is charged with looking after the following sectors of the MRL’s Malta based operations;

- Match Day
- Events
- General Duties

RLEF Malta Development Officer - Malta
In Malta, through the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF), a Malta Development Officer - Anthony Micallef, is also based.

If you would like to enquire about how to become involved with the Malta Rugby League in Malta, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 


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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
WALES
6
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7
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8
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9
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10
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11
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15
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20
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22
JAMAICA
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