Romanian Rugby

[dragos03]

I've seen a photo of CSM Bucuresti in training and the only foreigner in it was Sola (not sure if it was their full squad though). Since the league only starts in the autumn, I think they will use a young squad in the cups and maybe add a few extra players before the Superliga season. Judging from that photo, several experienced players are still at CSM (Beca, Mitu, Adrian Ion, Sola, Tiberiu Conache), I guess the team will be rebuilt around them. It's a young team and I think even Iasi might be stronger this year.

Dinamo have limited resources but it's good that the best of their Tongans will stay at the club. Not sure if the French player is the one they had last season (Damien Buffard?) or a new one. I don't think Jantjies will stay at Dinamo, he demands a sizeable wage and I don't think they really need him. They already have Bratu (soon he will be first choice for the Oaks I think), Caplescu (I like him a lot, very under-rated) and Ivan (another decent capped player, can cover any position in the backline).

I didn't know this before but it seems Moldovans are not counted as foreigners in the Superliga, regardless if they have Romanian citizenship or not.

 

[dragos03]

Romanian team for the match against Russia tomorrow:
1. Constantin Pristavita (Stiinta Baia Mare)
2. Otar Turashvili (Colomiers)
3. Horatiu Pungea (Oyonnax)
4. Johan Van Heerden (Stiinta Baia Mare)
5. Valentin Poparlan (Timisoara Saracens)
6. Viorel Lucaci (CSA Steaua Bucuresti)
7. Mihai Macovei (Colomiers) (cap)
8. Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens)
9. Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens)
10. Jody Rose (Timisoara Saracens)
11. Stephen Shennan (Timisoara Saracens)
12. Florin Vlaicu (Calvisano)
13. Paula Kinikinilau (Timisoara Saracens)
14. Madalin Lemnaru (Timisoara Saracens)
15. Catalin Fercu (Saracens)

16. Eugen Capatana (Timisoara Saracens), 17. Mihai Dico (Stiinta Baia Mare), 18. Paul Rusu (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare), 19. Marius Antonescu (Tarbes), 20. Andrei Gorcioaia (Valence d’Agen), 21. Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo), 22. Florin Ionita (CSA Steaua Bucuresti), 23. Sabin Stratila (Steaua).

Lynn Howells continues to experiment, especially in the backs. This time, Jody Rose starts at flyhalf with Vlaicu moved to centre. With 5 of the backs (6 if we consider Fercu) from Timisoara, this should be an interesting attacking backline.

 

[dragos03]

Romania - Russia 30-0
Tries: Burcea, Vlaicu, Lucaci, Rose

I'm very happy with this result, it's great that the Oaks were able to trash Russia even with a squad full of experiments and playing some great running rugby at times. The Russians started strong but after about 20 minutes they already started to gas out and were dominated completely.
The attendance in Iasi, about 7-8000 fans, is the highest for a rugby match in Romania for many years.

 

[dragos03]

Romania - Russia 30-0 highlights:


As rumored, 21-year old flanker Vlad Nistor (Castres) has signed for Albi. I think this is a good move, he surely get more gametime in Pro D2.

CSM Bucuresti won a pre-season test against Dinamo 12-7, tries scored by Popovici, Tudor and Eduard Ciaparii.

Superb try scored this weekend by Valentin Ursache for Oyonnax against Clermont:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo9UtImxEJQ

 

[amz]

This is good news for Nistor, he'll certainly play more and at a higher level.

Pretty straight forward win for Romania vs Russia, the addition of many young faces is no longer visible, team played better and better and never gave the sensation they can lose the match, even if they were behind. I like very much that they keep the habit to attack with ball in hand even from own 22.

Iasi is a fantastic city and it was a very good host, there was advertising in about every place in the center of the town about this match. I am really glad Poli Iasi made the step to Super Liga, Iasi might become a rugby city.

 

[Croket66]

I think Timisoara signed 2 1995-born props : Semisi Mahe (Tonga U20) and Johan Van Wyk (Blue Bulls)

 

[dragos03]

Van Wyk has signed for Timisoara, according to his Facebook. The club did announce 5 youngsters from South Africa and Tonga - they plan to use the 3 year rule to make them "Romanian players" since it allows them to use more foreign players in their squad.
*players eligible for Romania after 3 years are not considered foreigners in the Superliga, regardless if they are selected for the national team or not.

 

[dragos03]

Here's the Romanian extended squad for the match against Germany. Veteran flanker Ovidiu Tonita was included to play his official retirement match.

Props: Constantin Pristavita (Stiinta Baia Mare), Paul Rusu (Stiinta Baia Mare), Mihai Dico (Stiinta Baia Mare), Cosmin Manole (Dinamo), Horatiu Pungea (Oyonnax)
Hookers: Andrei Radoi (Timisoara Saracens), Otar Turashvili (Colomiers), Eugen Capatana (Timisoara Saracens)
Locks: Valentin Poparlan (Timisoara Saracens), Johan Van Heerden (Stiinta Baia Mare), Marius Antonescu (Tarbes)
Backrow: Viorel Lucaci (CSA Steaua Bucuresti), Vlad Nistor (Castres Olympique), Andrei Gorcioaia (Valence d’Agen), Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens), Ovidiu Tonita (Carcassonne)
Scrumhalf: Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens), Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo), Alexandru Tigla (CSM Bucuresti)
Flyhalf: Jody Rose (Timisoara Saracens), Ovidiu Melniciuc (U Cluj)
Centres: Paula Kinikinilau (Timisoara Saracens), Florin Ionita (CSA Steaua), Florin Vlaicu (Calvisano), Ionut Balaban (CSS Barlad)
Wingers: Adrian Apostol (Stiinta Baia Mare), Madalin Lemnaru (Timisoara Saracens), Stephen Shennan (Timisoara Saracens)
Fullbacks: Catalin Fercu (Saracens), Sabin Stratila (CSA Steaua Bucuresti)

In a pre-season match, Steaua - CSM Bucharest 57-14

 

[Croket66]

Great career for Ovidiu Tonita, Perpignan's supporters called him "T.N.T"

Not surprised by the result of Steaua
They played with : 15. Robert NEAGU, 14. Alex POROJAN, 13. Vasilicã PAȘCU, 12. Robert DASCÃLU, 11. Ionuț DUMITRU, 10. Ionuț NIACȘU, 9. Nemia RANUKU KENATALE.
1. Silviu VASILIU, 2. Cristi CORNEI, 3. Cosmin ROȘU, 4. Alex GRIGORE, 5. Bogdan DOROFTEI, 6. Vali MOTOTOLEA, 7. Kuselo MOYAKE, 8. Sorin COȘEREANU.
bench : Grigoraș DIACONESCU, Sergiu BUZEA, Sefo SAKALIA, Nicolae NERE, Mikheil ARCHUASHVILI, Sanele Petelo TUPOU, Eseria VUETI și Ionel CAZAN.

Apparently, lock/backrow Kefu Ikamanu (ex-Tonga U20) also joined Timisoara

 

[dragos03]

Amazing career for Tonita indeed, he played in five World Cups and won the French title with Perpignan. Against Ireland at the RWC he broke his finger but refused to be subbed and managed to score a try. Hopefully a full stadium will cheer him in his retirement match against the Germans.

Steaua looks solid but Timisoara remain the big favourites to win all domestic competitions. It's interesting that the Fijian internationals continue at the club, I expected them to leave after the RWC.

It will be a tough year for CSM.

 

[dragos03]

Ionut Botezatu (Baia Mare) has been added to the Oaks squad to replaced the injured Catalin Fercu (Saracens). I'm curious if Howells will start the Germany match with the young Stratila (the only dedicated fullback in the squad) or with Botezatu / Shennan. Apparently winger Madalin Lemnaru is injured as well.

Warm-up match results:
U Cluj - Baia Mare 29-49
Steaua - Dinamo 29-7

Many promising yougsters were used in this matches, like Cojocaru (hooker) and Iurea (flanker) by Baia Mare, Doroftei (lock) or Boldor (flyhalf) by Steaua. Hopefully they will play in the Romanian Cup as well.

 

[amz]

Stratila is injured for match vs Germany. Wing Ispir (CSM Bucuresti) was called to replace him and Vlaicu is listed as fullback.

 

[dragos03]

Timisoara have announced their new signings (some of them were already mentioned here):
- fullback Catalin Fercu (Saracens)
- prop Johan van Wyk (Blue Bulls)
- flanker Kefu Ikamanu (Tonga U20)
- prop Semisi Mahe (Toa Saracens)
- scrum half Lotter Pretorius (Sharks U21)
- scrum half Samiu Muna (Tonga A)
- centre Sioeli Nau (Tongan international, ex-Baia Mare)

Other transfers:
- hooker Catalin Beca - from CSM Bucuresti to Dinamo (CSM loses another experienced player in a critical position)
- U Cluj has signed several youngsters: winger Marcel Paraipan (Stiinta Petrosani), winger Andrei Cebotari (Petrosani, Moldovan international), hooker Razvan Barladeanu (Petrosani), prop Adrian Chiper (RCM Galati)

Nice to see Ispir (nicknamed "the moped") getting a chance at the national team. I hope Vlaicu won't be the starting fullback against Germany, hope to see Shennan or Botezatu.

 

[Croket66]

Timisoara have announced their new signings (some of them were already mentioned here):
- fullback Catalin Fercu (Saracens)
- prop Johan van Wyk (Blue Bulls)
- flanker Kefu Ikamanu (Tonga U20)
- prop Semisi Mahe (Toa Saracens)
- scrum half Lotter Pretorius (Sharks U21)
- scrum half Samiu Muna (Tonga A)
- centre Sioeli Nau (Tongan international, ex-Baia Mare)

Other transfers:
- hooker Catalin Beca - from CSM Bucuresti to Dinamo (CSM loses another experienced player in a critical position)
- U Cluj has signed several youngsters: winger Marcel Paraipan (Stiinta Petrosani), winger Andrei Cebotari (Petrosani, Moldovan international), hooker Razvan Barladeanu (Petrosani), prop Adrian Chiper (RCM Galati)

Nice to see Ispir (nicknamed "the moped") getting a chance at the national team. I hope Vlaicu won't be the starting fullback against Germany, hope to see Shennan or Botezatu.

Are Saulo, Ciaparii, Cira and O'Donnell the only departures from Timisoara?

 

[dragos03]

They also lost Australian back Tom Cox who didn't adapt at the club, as well as prop/hooker Bogdan Neacsu (went to Dinamo).

Some other guys who didn't play much last year might be gone too (like n8 Lemeki Nabalei who was constantly injured, there was also a young Serbian winger who wasn't used at all).

 

[dragos03]

Former FRR President Octavian Morariu said he will not enter the race for the new president of World Rugby (as claimed by some British newspapers last week). Morariu said he wants to run for another mandate as the head of Rugby Europe and he wants to finish the job there. He also praised the reforms of Bernard Lapasset.

Other news:
- George Sava was named head coach at Poli Iasi, while Cosmin Ratiu will become the forwards coach of the team. In my opinion, Sava is the best Romanian coach and he favours a very modern gameplan, so this is a great move for Iasi.
- winger Ionut Dumitru (Steaua) was added to the Oaks squad. Young hooker Tudor Butnariu (Poli Iasi) was also invited to train with the national team.
- Dolce Sport will broadcast live 1-2 matches from every round of the Romanian Cup, this is a new step forward for the coverage of Romanian rugby. The matches not broadcasted by Dolce will be streamed live on www.rugbytv.ro. The first match live on Dolce will be Steaua vs U Cluj on March 20.
- the pre-season test between Steaua and Dinamo can be watched here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INesr9G2dJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oYfu1unbM8

 

[Croket66]

Poli Iasi is in talks with Moldovan international lock Andrei Mahu (Ex-Timisoara Saracens and Zebre).

Confirmed. Here is the moldovan team to face Belgium

PROPS
1. Vadim Cobîlaș - Sale Sharks (England)
2. Cobîlaș Maxim – Sale Sharks (England)
3. Gajion Gheorghe - SA Trélissac (France)
4. Lungu Andrei – CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS

HOOKERS
1. Arhip Dmitri - Ospreys (Wales)
2. Dorogan Ruslan- CSJ Poli Iasi (Romania)
3. Orghianu Igor – CSJ Poli Iasi (Romania)
4. Ojovan Cristian – CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS

LOCKS
1. Romanov Andrei - CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS
2. Mahu Andrei - CSJ Poli Iasi (Romania)
3. Titică Veaceslav - Krasny Yar (Russia)
4. Bostan Dorin -CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS

BACKROW
1. Prepeliță Oleg - Krasny Yar (Russia)
2. Arhip Victor - Krasny Yar (Russia)
3. Beșleaga Maxim- CSR Lupii Albi-USEFS
4. Rotundu Roman –CSR Sporting –ASEM
5. Bușilă Ion - CSR Lupii Albi -USEFS
6. Castravet Sergiu – CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS

SCRUMHALVES
1. Ungurean Alexandru - CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS
2. Boies Pavel-CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS
3. Opre Stefan- CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS

FLYHALVES
1. Petrache Dorin –CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS
2. Manoli Octavian- CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS

CENTRES
1. Cavcaliuc Ion- CS Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania)
2. Artîc Mihai- CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS
3. Boian Mihai-CSR Lupii Albi- USEFS
4. Volosciuc Gheorghe-CSR Codalb

WINGERS
1. Lotcă Grigorie- Lupii Albi USEFS
2. Lotcă Ilie - Lupii Albi USEFS
3. Cebotari Andrei - CSJ Universitatea Cluj (Romania)

FULLBACKS
1. Golubenco Mihai –CSJ Poli Iasi (Romania)
2. Adam Adrian – CSR Sporting –ASEM

 

[amz]

nice Moldovan selection to Poli Unirea Iasi . And with a very good coach like Sava they can only be better

 

[Thingimubob]

Dmitry Arhip is a tighthead prop not a hooker? Unless Moldova have switched him for some reason?

Really tidy player for the Ospreys, set up a beaut of a try the other day with a break and a perfectly executed 2 on 1 (something a lot of top level internationals muck up...)

 

[Croket66]

Dmitri Arhip always played hooker for Moldova. He only played few times at tighthead when Vadim Cobilas was not in the squad.
When he played in Russia, for Enisei-STM, he was used both at hooker and tighthead prop IIRC