New Bulls signing for 2012 Jarrod Sammut has rubbished reports that he opted to play for Malta instead of against Bradford tomorrow.

Sammut insists he will be at Odsal and bursting to play for the Crusaders against his new club.

The 24-year old Australian half-back, who qualifies to play for Malta through his father, has missed Crusaders’ last three matches through injury but was expected back to face Mick Potter’s side.

Yesterday, the Welsh club issued a statement, however, saying: “This week he was declared fit and ready to play in our match against Bradford Bulls this Sunday, an important game for us if we are to finish off the bottom of the Super League table, but he will now be unavailable to play for the Crusaders after choosing Malta over the club.”

Speaking from the Mediterranean, just before taking to the field at FC Melita Stadium near St Julian’s for a European Shield match against Norway, Sammut told the T&A: “I fly back on Saturday night and I’ll definitely be at the game on Sunday.

“When I agreed to play for Malta I hadn’t actually been selected to play for Crusaders and as far as I’m concerned I’m still available to play against Bradford.

“Playing for Malta is important to me because it’s an international game.”

The Wrexham-based club’s statement added: “Crusaders are supportive of international Rugby League and our position is that if this is an RLIF sanctioned match then we are obliged to release him. We have not had that official confirmation.”

All the Crusaders players will become free agents at the end of the season following the club’s decision to withdraw from Super League, although Sammut agreed to join the Bulls before last month’s shock announcement.