The Knights, featuring Group Seven's Nathan Falzon, Jono Dallas and Emanuel Sultana, finally claimed bragging rights with a 23-20 win over neighbours Italy in the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) Test at the weekend, avenging a 34-10 loss back in 2009 when these two teams first met before a 24-all draw in 2017.

Malta jumped out to a 4-nil after just two minutes as Wigan Warriors' Jarrod Sammut, stole an intercept in the first set of the game before the ball was spread to the left for Nathan Benson to score in the corner.

Sammut missed the conversion, but was the next to score, converting his own try.

The Maltese conceded a late penalty and Italy's Brock Pelligra kicked the two points for a 10-2 half-time scoreline.

Azzurri coach Leo Epifania's speech at the interval must have been one for the ages as Italy come out of the sheds a completely different team in the second stanza, running in two early tries through Brock Pelligra and Daniel Petralia with the former converting both of them.

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Malta also scored two second-half tries; the first to Falzon, off a lovely Nathan Benson flick pass.

Sammut added the extra two points before the halfback slotted a field goal the next time the red and whites found themselves in range.

The next try from Malta was a nice effort from man of the match Sammut to dribble the ball into the in goal for his hooker Adam Campbell to dive on and claim the eventual match winner.

Again, it was Sammut to seal the day with another conversion.

Italy hit back with a consolation try through Anton Laria on the full-time siren with Pelligra converting, adding to his flawless day with the boot.

But it wasn't enough, with Malta (ranked 17^th in the world) ultimately running out 23-20 victors over Italy (14th) at Camden.

Malta next face Turkey on Saturday at Cabramatta.