RWC Preview: Romania

A short look at Romania's preparation, build up and squad for the tournament, as they hope to continue their success against Canada, and finally beat Italy.

ENC/Antim Cup rivals Georgia used the Tbilisi Cup very much as an experimental tournament for some fringe players, and Romania usually have done similar in the Nations Cup.

But this year changed a bit, and played a much stronger side, with their best players Mihai Lazar, Mihai Macovei and Catalin Fercu playing all the games and won all the three games with an aggregate of 101-12 not conceding a try.

View of the mountainsides from
Romania's training camp

The circumstances aren't identical, as Georgia had more players who needed rest after long Top 14 seasons, but it was an interesting approach from Romania that may have given them a bit of confidence going into this tournament.

After that tournament, the Oaks headed to work on fitness at Cheile Gradistei in the Romanian mountains.

The Oaks struggled to find warm ups, with a match against Yorkshire Carnegie which was used to trim the squad down only organised quite late on.

That Yorkshire match, and the Edinburgh match a week later both were played in a pre season manner. With around 60 players featuring in them, and hugely changing teams throughout the match. As a result, there's only so much to take from them. Romania didn't even play those matches in their proper kit.

There's only been one test match of stronger intensity in the preparation, which was against Tonga who took the bulk of their first choice team, and Romania as underdogs actually competed very hard in that game and were unlucky not to win.

With only a major blunder from the touch judge, allowing a Tongan try with legs in touch, a poorly performing lineout, and some sloppy indiscipline costing what was a strong defensive effort.

Video: Romania have conceded some mind bogglingly needless penalties putting

pressure on themselves at times. This one wasn't even the worst of the Nations Cup.

Romania don't have a friendly schedule for this World Cup, and have talked about targeting two wins, and a good performance against France, suggesting they may field a reserve side against Ireland who they play off only 3 days rest.

The main target will be Canada, who Romania have had some success against in recent times simply keeping it tight, demolishing their scrum, and Florin Vlaicu taking the kicks.

Romania will be confident of repeating that again against Canada, but whether they can repeat that against Italy who they again play off a short turnaround will be interesting, especially if they head into that game off the back of a win, and Romain Poite rates their scrum.

Video: Romania have pulverised Canada's scrum in recent encounters, and recently

also demolished the Argentina Jaguars scrum in the Nations Cup.

Coach Lynn Howells has led Romania very much to a scrum and maul orientated game in terms of offence, but defence under has also improved lately under Yorkshireman Neil Kelly, an ex Rugby League man.

After losing to USA in a game they should have won through some soft tries, they've worked on cutting them out, keeping Japan, Canada, Georgia all tryless, and as referenced above, were unfortunate not to keep Tonga out as well. The Edinburgh match was not so good, but in the last few test matches they've defended well.

GIF: Romania's defence has been much tougher lately since conceding cheap

tries to the USA. They've held out Japan, Canada, Georgia, all of the Nations Cup

opponents, to zero tries. And made Tonga work very hard in their warm up match,

and were in the end came away unlucky with some decisions. They haven't scored
many tries in those games themselves either mind.

Losing all the games wouldn't be a surprise, but expectation for a win has risen quietly following the Canada's poor recent form, and the better luck with injury Romania have had.

Romania have a target of 2 wins, and beating Italy would be a notable achievement for a number of reasons, one of which includes a boost to chances of securing extra funding, and a boost of interest in terms of popularity of the sport which isn't as high as it is in Georgia right now. Just beating Canada will be the priority though.

GIF: Florin Vlaicu is perhaps the strongest kicker of the Tier 2 nations, and against

Tonga was hitting over 53 metre penalties. Although earlier in his career was a bit

more flaky. Goal kicking was a horrible experience for Romania in the 2011 RWC,

with Danut Dumbrava only getting 5 of 14, and missing 8 points in a very close match

against Scotland, with many of the Oaks points coming from kicks it is vital Vlaicu is on form.

Coach Howells, despite being the oldest coach in the tournament has been offered a deal to continue the job post RWC, but is still considering his options.

For this tournament 'Yoda' has opted in many of the close calls to opt for the more experienced player, notably leaving behind one of their few promising young players Vlad Nistor for veterans Daniel Carpo and Ovidiu Tonita.

This might not the most talented group, or play free flowing rugby (although Catalin Fercu should be noted as a player of genuine class), and there's an issue in terms of a complete lack of young talent coming through. But they've worked hard and perhaps overachieved relative to resources and talent over the past couple years, and that deserves respect.

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Fixtures:
23/09 -  France | Olympic Stadium | Ref: Jaco Peyper
27/09 -  Ireland | Wembley | Ref: Craig Joubert
06/10 -  Canada | Leicester | Ref: Wayne Barnes
11/10 -  Italy | Exeter | Ref: Romain Poite

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Squad:
Loosehead Prop: Mihai Lazar (Castres) is the key member of the squad, and has been the most dominant scrummager of any Tier 2 nation. Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne) who is a dual sided prop will cover him.

Young Constantin Pristavita (Baia Mare) had been a regular as back up loosehead for a while, but didn't quite make the cut.

Hooker: Georgian born Otar Turashvili (Colomiers) has been part of the side since 2012, and is regarded as a strong scrummaging hooker, but with some frailties at lineout. Andrei Radoi (Timisoara Saracens) is seen as more the lineout hooker, and has a very strong throw in terms of speed and distance, and can also scrum. Eugen Capatana (Timisoara Saracens) will be third choice by a long distance.

Tighthead Prop: Paulica Ion (Perpignan) has been the first choice for years, and a veteran of the 2003 tournament. But has been coming under increasing pressure from Horatiu Pungea (Oyonnax) for this position. Alex Tarus (Timisoara Saracens) is the third choice option, who also covers both sides.

Vlad Badalicescu (CSM Bucuresti) did well in the Nations Cup, and is unlucky to miss out.

Lock: Valentin Popirlan (Timisoara Saracens) has risen from bench option to regular starter now, he and Johan van Heerden (Baia Mare) will likely form the second row with Marius Antonescu (Tarbes) the bench lock.

Romania have lost several options here, with two players who were regulars in this position unavailable. Alin Coste (Carcassonne) decided to recover from an injury with his club, although is now fit. Marius Sirbe lost his contract in France, and pulled out of contention to look for a new club.

Back Row: The trio of Valentin Ursache (Oyonnax) a regular starter in the Top 14 who's moved to back row from lock, tackling machine Viorel Lucaci (Steaua Bucuresti), and captain Mihai Macovei (Colomiers) are the first choice. Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens), Daniel Carpo (Coventry) and Ovidiu Tonita (Provence) are all back up options with vast experience.

Youngster Vlad Nistor (Castres) was a surprise cut from the 31 given some good performances in the Nations Cup. 

Scrum Half: Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti) is the more lively option of the scrum halves but at times has a high error count. Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens) is the kicking option, and also covers fly half and can kick goals. Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo) is one of the few uncapped players at the tournament, and a surprise selection as third choice, he's not even that regular a stater at his club.

Fly Half: Danut Dumbrava (Steaua Bucuresti) has returned to the role of first choice fly half after a 3 year absence from the team. Mike Wiringi (Baia Mare) finally made his debut in June and will likely be back up.

Centre: Florin Vlaicu (CSM Bucuresti) has offered a solid goal kicking option for Romania, and tackler at centre, can also back up fly half. Csaba Gal (Cluj) has long been the other centre, but now Paula Kinikinilau (Timisoara Saracens) is in the team he will likely start.

Wing: Madalin Lemnaru (Timisoara Saracens) made a strong breakthrough in 2012, and established his place but had some nasty very long term injuries since, and only just returned to the team after 18 months absence. This is a weak position for Romania though, so he should comeback and start alongside either Adrian Apostol (Baia Mare), Ionut Botezatu (Baia Mare) or Florin Ionita (Steaua Bucuresti) none of whom have established themselves. Botezatu also covers full back, and Ionita covers centre.

Ionut Dumitru (Steaua Bucuresti) the first choice over 2013 and 2014 was cut after an injury disrupted year.

Full Back: Catalin Fercu (Saracens) is the standout player in the backs with a superb all round game, and finally gets a chance on a big stage after missing the last tournament. Sabin Stratila (Steaua Bucuresti) has come from outside the Nations Cup squad to find a place as his back up.