Romanian Rugby

[saulan]

World Rugby should sanction more tournaments for Tier 2 nations like us to allow our national A teams more games. It's essential for our development to have our young and local talent expose to a high standard rugby. Thanks for the for the feedback.

There aren't many tournaments like that. There is the U20 tournaments and then there is the Six Nations who I think have a form of an A team tournament running. Apart from that, there are no other A team tournaments running, and that shouldn't be the priority of World Rugby. I still think promotion relegation is the best option for Europe.

 

[dragos03]

Promotion-relegation in the Six Nations and equal opportunities for Tier 2 clubs in European competitions should be the priorities indeed.

There are plenty of A team tournaments running, just that Tier 2 nations are not allowed to enter them with A teams. For example, the World Rugby Nations Cup that is played in Bucharest every June will feature the A teams of Argentina and Italy but the Romanian squad will be considered the senior side, even if many players will be missing and it will also be esentially an A team. The same thing happened in the American Six Nations, where Argentina was allowed with their A team but the weakened USA and Canada squads were labeled as first choice. As a result, USA lost a lot of ranking points after they got beaten by Brazil.

 

[FrenchFan]

Promotion-relegation in the Six Nations and equal opportunities for Tier 2 clubs in European competitions should be the priorities indeed.

I agree. I think some of the home nations are scared of opening up the 6 Nations. Some stand to lose more than they think.

 

[Tautahi]

First of all they should be giving more tests matches against the home nations, just like the Pacific should be getting more tests against All Blacks and Australia. But yes Promotion Relegation is the step forward.

 

[dragos03]

Just for the record, Romania hasn't played any Tier 1 tests in the last ten years (last one was in 2006) and we are the only Tier 2 nation not to have one this year either...

Probable squads for the final of the Romanian Cup:

 

[dragos03]

Live right now:
http://www.rugbytv.ro/2016/05/20/cu...830-stiinta-baia-mare-timisoara-saracens.html

 

[CocoPampas]

Just for the record, Romania hasn't played any Tier 1 tests in the last ten years (last one was in 2006) and we are the only Tier 2 nation not to have one this year either...

This is really unfair.
I'm currently analyzing the T1 vs. T2 test matches between world cups, and it is incredible how Romania (and in some extent Georgia) are being ignored.
Maybe their participation in the Nations Cup during the mid-year international window is part of the problem. But also, part of the responsibility is on SH T1 teams.

 

[FrenchFan]

This is really unfair.
I'm currently analyzing the T1 vs. T2 test matches between world cups, and it is incredible how Romania (and in some extent Georgia) are being ignored.
Maybe their participation in the Nations Cup during the mid-year international window is part of the problem. But also, part of the responsibility is on SH T1 teams.

Yes it is. It's politics. The home nations bear their own responsibility in stunting the growth of Georgia and Romania. What has Lapasset done to address the issue during his reign at IRB? Sweet **** All.

In the 80s and 90s we used to play Romania every year. Now we never play them at all.

The reason why T1 unions like Eng and Fra have left Romania and Georgia behind is money.

Even if the rugby has been dire in 6N Fra v Eng games are hugely profitable for both unions. It's about money not rugby.

If they introduced relegation-promotion it would reshuffle some of the home unions cards - France would risk relegation eventually. Only a matter of time. The financial fallout for FFR would be huge. Because France v Romania doesn't sell like France v England.

It's not happening for these Tier 2 countries because of money and Tier1 unions blocking their way.

 

[CocoPampas]

Yes it is. It's politics. The home nations bear their own responsibility in stunting the growth of Georgia and Romania. What has Lapasset done to address the issue during his reign at IRB? Sweet **** All.

In the 80s and 90s we used to play Romania every year. Now we never play them at all.

The reason why T1 unions like Eng and Fra have left Romania and Georgia behind is money.

Even if the rugby has been dire in 6N Fra v Eng games are hugely profitable for both unions. It's about money not rugby.

If they introduced relegation-promotion it would reshuffle some of the home unions cards - France would risk relegation eventually. Only a matter of time. The financial fallout for FFR would be huge. Because France v Romania doesn't sell like France v England.

It's not happening for these Tier 2 countries because of money and Tier1 unions blocking their way.

Yes, sure, 6N countries could help them more, including them in some way in an expanded 6N.
However, the 6N countries are regularly playing Tests against other T2 nations while SH countries aren't playing almost any. That's why I think SH T1 countries have higher responsibilities.

 

[dragos03]

Because France v Romania doesn't sell like France v England.

Sorry but this is wrong. Ireland vs Romania at the RWC holds the RWC all-time attendance record. The Irish fans came to watch their team, not Romania and it would be the same in France. Sure, a match vs England is way more exciting but home matches in the 6 Nations will be a sell-out (or almost a sell-out), no matter who is the opponent. For example, England's home matches vs Italy attract big crowds even if it's essentially a meaningless match and the result is certain.

Also, I don't think France would ever get relegated. Promotion/relegation would happen after a playoff match. France would have to get the wooden spoon and then also get beaten by Romania/Georgia or some other team in the playoff. I think that's extremely unlikely. At the moment, I doubt Italy or Scotland would be lose the playoff either but it could happen after a few years.

Timisoara Saracens have won the Romanian Cup for the third time in a row, after defeating Baia Mare 37-12 in the final.
There were between 6000 and 8000 fans at this match, a record for domestic rugby in recent years.

 

[FrenchFan]

Also, I don't think France would ever get relegated. Promotion/relegation would happen after a playoff match. France would have to get the wooden spoon and then also get beaten by Romania/Georgia or some other team in the playoff. I think that's extremely unlikely. At the moment, I doubt Italy or Scotland would be lose the playoff either but it could happen after a few years.

I believe they would get relegated eventually. The playoff you're describing is only an option. It could be a relegation based on points.

They picked up the wooden spoon in 2013. They only narrowly avoid it again this season because Italy were kind enough to pick it up before we did. Les Bleus won 2 games with a 1pt margin. Italy scored more tries in this 6N!

The reason why FFR may block the introduction of Romania and Georgia is money, they badly need the money the big games generate, and because they're losing control over the national team and can't stop the rot. If relegation-promotion was introduced it is only a matter of time before les Bleus get relegated.
It's a safe bet they will collect at least one wooden spoon before Japan 2019. I wouldn't bet against it.

 

[FrenchFan]

Sorry but this is wrong. Ireland vs Romania at the RWC holds the RWC all-time attendance record. The Irish fans came to watch their team, not Romania and it would be the same in France. Sure, a match vs England is way more exciting but home matches in the 6 Nations will be a sell-out (or almost a sell-out), no matter who is the opponent. For example, England's home matches vs Italy attract big crowds even if it's essentially a meaningless match and the result is certain.

The level of interest for a France Romania isn't just the same. The Irish game was at the WC, and what is true of the Irish fans doesn't necessarily apply to French fans. Truth is french fans are turning en masse to the T14. They're getting tired of watching les Bleus. 3 of the worst games in last 6N involved France. Selling the Blue Barnum to the French public is going to get more difficult given their poor level of performance and the rugby drudge the 6N have produced in recent years. FFR know they won't attract same crowds with Romania and Georgia. I'm talking from FFR's standpoint. That's how they look at it.

My personal view is that it's high time for the 6N to let both Romania and Georgia in. They can only improve by playing T1 nations. The 6 nations have a responsibility to open up and let them in or else they'll never progress as well as they could.

 

[dragos03]

Of course the level of interest is not the same but there wouldn't be a big difference in attendance numbers. A match vs Romania would actually be guaranteed to be spectacular, with many tries and it would allow France to play an open gameplan that would be too risky against a stronger opponent.

Some fans might actually be more interested in watching a 45-14 win vs Romania than an ugly 9-6 tactical win vs one of the Home Nations. (example scorelines, you know what I mean)

 

[FrenchFan]

Of course the level of interest is not the same but there wouldn't be a big difference in attendance numbers.

Maybe. You'll have to sell that one to FFR...

A match vs Romania would actually be guaranteed to be spectacular, with many tries and it would allow France to play an open gameplan that would be too risky against a stronger opponent.

Sure. They could finally produce the rugby they're incapable of against T1 opposition!

Some fans might actually be more interested in watching a 45-14 win vs Romania than an ugly 9-6 tactical win vs one of the Home Nations.

No disrespect but French fans won't be buying that.

Some fans might actually be more interested in watching a 45-14 win vs Romania than an ugly 9-6 tactical win vs one of the Home Nations.

well these days it's more like an ugly Loss to the French team

 

[dragos03]

Several important Oaks got serious injuries and will be missing for months:
- captain Mihai Macovei (Colomiers) is out for 6 months
- Horatiu Pungea (Oyonnax) - 3 months
- Paula Kinikinilau (Timisoara) - out for at least 4 months with a broken leg
- Ionut Botezatu (Baia Mare) - injured until at least the end of the year

Oaks squad for the Nations Cup, 10 of the players from Romania A will be added after the tests against Crawshays Welsh RFC:

Props: Mihai Lazar (Castres Olympique), Constantin Pristavita (Stiinta Baia Mare), Alexandru Tarus (Beziers) Hookers: Otar Turashvili (Colomiers), Andrei Radoi (Timisoara Saracens)
Locks: Valentin Poparlan (Timisoara Saracens), Marius Antonescu (Tarbes), Johan Van Heerden (Stiinta Baia Mare)
Backrow: Viorel Lucaci (CSA Steaua), Andrei Gorcioaia (Valence d'Agen), Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens)
Scrum half: Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens), Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo), Alexandru Tigla (CSM Olimpia)
Fly half: Ovidiu Melniciuc (U Cluj), Jody Rose (Timisoara Saracens)
Centres: Florin Vlaicu (Calvisano), Ionut Balaban (CS Dinamo), Catalin Dascalu (CSA Steaua)
Wingers: Adrian Apostol (Stiinta Baia Mare), Stephen Shennan (Timisoara Saracens), Ionut Dumitru (CSA Steaua)
Fullback: Catalin Fercu (Timisoara Saracens)

Even if some key players are missing, I think this squad is too strong for this competition (stronger than the one used against Georgia). Nice to see Dumitru back with the Oaks.

Romania 7s training for the Rugby Europe Trophy: Vladut Zaharia (Timisoara), Catalin Neacsu (CS Dinamo), George Croitoru (CSM Bucuresti), Ciprian Caplescu (CNOT), Florin Tandea (CSS Petrosani), Ionut Balaban (CS Dinamo), Vasile Paraschiv (CSU Cluj), Cristi Boboc (RCM Galati/CNOT), Costel Manolache (RCM Galati/CNOT), Remus Zaharescu (CS PT Petrosani), Valerian Berbece (CNOT), Marius Dascalu (CNOT), Ionita Nistor (CNOT), Robert Neagu (Steaua), Daniel Boicu (CNOT), Alexandru Bucur (Baia Mare)

 

[Croket66]

Romanian Cup best XV

15. Sioeli Lama (CSM Olimpia), 14. Fili Lomani (Dinamo), 13. Tangimana Fonovai (Timisoara), 12. Robert Dascalu (Steaua), 11. Stephen Shennan (Timisoara), 10. Jody Rose (Timisoara), 9. Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara), 1.Constantin Pristavita (Baia Mare), 2. Andrei Radoi (Timisoara), 3. Alexandru Tarus (Timisoara), 4. Valentin Popirlan (Timisoara), 5.Marian Drenceanu (Timisoara), 6. Moyake Kuselo (Steaua), 7. Paola Kata (Dinamo), 8. Stelian Burcea (Timisoara).

 

[dragos03]

Some strange choices among the backs, Lama didn't play fullback while Fonovai is normally used on the wing. Lomani over Ionut Dumitru? Otherwise, it looks like a good selection.

 

[dragos03]

Here are the squads for the trial match that will be played today in Barlad, 36 of these 47 players will be selected for Romania A:

ROMANIA A
1.Tudor George (CSM), 2. Ovidiu Cojocaru (Stiinta Baia Mare), 3. Alexandru Gordas (CSA Steaua), 4. Vlad Rotar (U Cluj), 5. Andrei Toader (Iasi), 6. Andrei Diaconu (U Cluj), 7. Razvan Ilisescu (Graulhet), 8. Marian Gorcioaia (Timisoara), 9. George Croitoru (CSM), 10. Daniel Plai (Politehnica Iasi), 11. Nicolas Onutu (ROC La Voulte РValence F̩d̩rale 1), 12. Dennis Perju (L'Aquila), 13. Julien Onutu (ROC La Voulte РValence F̩d̩rale 1), 14. Lomani Fili (Dinamo), 15. Sabin Stratila (CSA Steaua) REZERVE: 16. Florin Bardasu (Stiinta Baia Mare), 17. Gigi Militaru (Timisoara), 18. Vasile Balan (Politehnica Iasi), 19. Dorin Lazar (Timisoara), 20. Tudorel Bratu (CS Dinamo), 21. Luke Samoa (Stiinta Baia Mare), 22. Mihai Lamboiu (ACS Tomitanii), 23. Marian Ispir (CSM Olimpia)

President's XV
1.Bogdan Neacsu (CS Dinamo), 2. Tudor Butnariu (Poli Iasi), 3.Cosmin Manole (CS Dinamo), 4. Ionut Lucian Muresan (Timisoara), 5. Bogdan Doroftei (CSA Steaua), 6. Cristian Chirica (Stiinta Baia Mare), 7. Andrei Iurea (Stiinta Baia Mare),8. Razvan Ailenei (Stiinta Baia Mare),9. Alexandru Pălîi (CSM Știința Baia Mare), 10. George Paul Oprea (Stiinta Baia Mare), 11. Vladut Popa (Timisoara),12. Ionut Balaban (CS Dinamo), 13. Alexandru Petru Bucur (Stiinta Baia Mare), 14. Robert Neagu (CSA Steaua), 15. Ionut Niacsu (Steaua) REZERVE: 16. Claudiu Marzac (Timisoara), 17. Silviu Suciu (Stiinta Baia Mare), 18. Paul Petucher (U Cluj), 19. Florian Gheorghita Rosu (Baia Mare), 20. Alexandru Tigla (CSM Olimpia), 21. Daniel Vladut Zaharia (Timisoara Saracens), 22. Sione Fakaosilea (Stiinta Baia Mare)

 

[dragos03]

Romania A - President's XV 19-17
Tries: Bardasu, Plai, Cucos / Balaban, Chirica, Ailenei

Highlights:

 

[dragos03]

Final Romania A squad for the two matches against Crawshays Welsh RFC:

Props: Bogdan Neacsu (CS Dinamo), Gigi Militaru (Timisoara), Alexandru Gordas (CSA Steaua), Silviu Suciu (Stiinta Baia Mare), Tudor George (CSM Bucharest)
Hookers: Florin Bardasu (Stiinta Baia Mare), Tudor Butnariu (Poli Iasi), Ovidiu Cojocaru (Stiinta Baia Mare),
Locks: Andrei Diaconu (U Cluj), Vlad Rotar (U Cluj), Andrei Iurea (Stiinta Baia Mare), Ionut Lucian Muresan (Timisoara)
Backrow: Paul Ailenei (Stiinta Baia Mare), Razvan Ilisescu (Graulhet), Cristian Chirica (Stiinta Baia Mare), Marian Gorcioaia (Timisoara), Florian Gheorghita Rosu (Baia Mare), Dorin Lazar (Timisoara)
Scrum half: Alexandru Tigla (CSM Olimpia), Alexandru Pălîi (CSM Știința Baia Mare), George Croitoru (CSM Bucharest)
Fly half: Daniel Plai (Politehnica Iasi)
Centre: Dennis Perju (L'Aquila), Sione Fakaosilea (Stiinta Baia Mare), Ionut Balaban (CS Dinamo), Mihai Lamboiu (ACS Tomitanii), Julien Onutu (ROC La Voulte РValence F̩d̩rale 1)
Wingers: Jack Umaga (Timisoara), Nicolas Onutu (ROC La Voulte РValence F̩d̩rale 1), Daniel Vladut Zaharia (Timisoara Saracens), Alexandru Petru Bucur (Stiinta Baia Mare), Robert Neagu (CSA Steaua), Marian Ispir (CSM Olimpia)
Fullbacks: Sabin Stratila (CSA Steaua), Luke Samoa (Stiinta Baia Mare), Lomani Fili (Dinamo)

From the other tested players, Bratu will play for the senior Romanian squad, Popa and Marzac will play for Timisoara in the U20 final and Oprea is injured. Manole, Balan, Petucher, Doroftei, Toader and Niacsu were not selected.

I like this squad, it's more of a youth selection than a proper Romania A but there are some exciting players in there and the matches against the Welsh should be interesting to watch.

Here is the touring squad of Crawshays WRU President's XV:

Greg Woods (Head Coach)

Gavin Dacey (Captain) Merthyr
Dion Jones. Llanelli
Luke Ford. Cardiff
Justin James. Llanelli
David Evans. Aberavon
Matthew Jarvis. Merthyr
Dai Langdon. Ebbw Vale
Kieran Meek. Newbridge
Tom Slater. Cardiff
Luc Jones. Newport Gwent Dragons
Lewis Smout. Cardiff
Nicky Downes. Neath
Alex Gardner-Key. Bargoed
Joel Ringer. Neath
Huw Dowden. Pontypridd
Stuart Vokes. Bedwas
Joe Davies. Newport Gwent Dragons
James Murphy. Cardiff
Phil Rees. Merthyr
Adam Powell. Cross Keys
Edward Siggery. Moseley
Jake Thomas. Pontypridd
Scott Matthews. Cross Keys
Deri Mattravers. (Player Coach). Bedwas