Romanian Rugby

[tommyc121]

there is talk of new six nations. did hear romania or georgia be involved. personally tho georgia are the team come up still better then romania at this point. also when does the 2nd divison in romania start..

 

[tommyc121]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36799343

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

We all know Tier 1 countries travel to the USA and Canada for all reasons but sporting ones. And like you, I don't want to attack these countries, just see others being given similar chances. Unfortunately the only way to force a Tier 1 nations to make the trip to Bucharest right now would be offering them a big bucket of money, directly or through sponsors and suppliers.

I fear you are right and it might explain in why Georgia has tests announced against Scotland and Argentina (as well as Japan and Pacific Islands) while Romania is ignored. Georgian rugby is reportedly backed by the richest man in the country who is also a former Prime Minister. With that sort of backing in the backrooms of a grubby capitalist sport it can make all the difference.

I take it World Rugby have little or no say in fixtures in summer and November tests? Is it all down to each national union to negotiate deals?

 

[dragos03]

I take it World Rugby have little or no say in fixtures in summer and November tests? Is it all down to each national union to negotiate deals?

No, I actually think that World Rugby schedules most of the tests for the Tier 2 nations.

 

[Croket66]

From super-ligaro, it seem that CSM Bucuresti signed Timisoara's players (maybe in loan?)
- Sioeli Nau (centre)
- Lemeki Nabalei Davu (eightman)
- Semesi Mahe (prop) - Tonga U20
- Samiu Muna (scrumhalf) - Tonga A

U Cluj signed
- prop Samuel Cira (Dinamo)
- scrumhalf Eduard Ciaparii (Dinamo)
- flanker Vasile Dragos (CSM Bucuresti)
- winger Georgel Catuna (Baia Mare) - 2 caps

 

[dragos03]

I don't think the Superliga website is fully updated and correct yet, the transfer window is not over. The other three are youngsters but it would be strange for Timisoara to sign an experienced international like Sioeli Nau and then loan him at CSM. But in a few days the complete squads should be loaded on the website.

Besides the players that you've listed, U Cluj has also signed:
- Sorin Suciu (lock, Dinamo)
- Razvan Socaciu (fullback, Gens Cluj)
- Andrei Balok (scrum half from their U18 team)
- Ionut Simion (flanker, experienced player, ex-Steaua)

Other transfers and rumours:
- according to rumours, Cluj have released winger Vasile Paraschiv (Romania 7s) and lock Andrei Diaconu, both could sign for Poli Iasi
- Iasi have lost Moldovan lock Andrei Mahu, he signed for Russian club Kuban Krasnodar
- Steaua has signed young international centre Dennis Perju (L'Aquila)
- CSM Bucuresti has signed flanker Mario Arvinte (ex-Castres espoirs) and is in talks with one Italian and one South African player

 

[Croket66]

I don't think the Superliga website is fully updated and correct yet, the transfer window is not over. The other three are youngsters but it would be strange for Timisoara to sign an experienced international like Sioeli Nau and then loan him at CSM. But in a few days the complete squads should be loaded on the website.

Besides the players that you've listed, U Cluj has also signed:
- Sorin Suciu (lock, Dinamo)
- Razvan Socaciu (fullback, Gens Cluj)
- Andrei Balok (scrum half from their U18 team)
- Ionut Simion (flanker, experienced player, ex-Steaua)

Other transfers and rumours:
- according to rumours, Cluj have released winger Vasile Paraschiv (Romania 7s) and lock Andrei Diaconu, both could sign for Poli Iasi
- Iasi have lost Moldovan lock Andrei Mahu, he signed for Russian club Kuban Krasnodar
- Steaua has signed young international centre Dennis Perju (L'Aquila)
- CSM Bucuresti has signed flanker Mario Arvinte (ex-Castres espoirs) and is in talks with one Italian and one South African player

Centre Sioeli Nau is not the scrumhalf who played for Tonga and Racing-Metro
The italian is centre Alessio Mattoccia (22 years old) from L'Aquila and is already in Romania
From their facebook accounts, it seems that Nabalei, Mahe, Muna and Nau are definitively moving to CSM

 

[dragos03]

Centre Sioeli Nau is not the scrumhalf who played for Tonga and Racing-Metro
The italian is centre Alessio Mattoccia (22 years old) from L'Aquila and is already in Romania
From their facebook accounts, it seems that Nabalei, Mahe, Muna and Nau are definitively moving to CSM

I know he's not the ex-Racing player but if I remember right he's a 29 years old centre with 18 caps for Tonga. An experienced player, it's strange to sign him and just loan him away without a single minute played.

The transfer of Matoccia makes little sense but I guess his former Romanian teammates at L'Aquila helped him with some contacts.

Jack Cobden is also back at CSM Bucuresti.

 

[tommyc121]

when does the 2nd divison league start up in romania. i heard october? which is very intresting.

 

[dragos03]

Yes, it kicks off in October. Until then, the second division clubs will play some 7s tournaments but participation is optional and not all of them will take part.

 

[amz]

Tomorrow will kick off Super Liga CEC Bank 2016 - 2017. It's the 100th Edition of Romanian Rugby Championship.

From left to right:
Timisoara Saracens, Poli Iasi, U Cluj, CSM Bucuresti, Dinamo Bucuresti, CSM Baia Mare, Steaua Bucuresti


It seems that the broadcaster Dolce Sport was happy with how Romanian Cup went therefore 2 matches per round will be broadcasted on Dolce Sport 2 and 3 channels. The hours are changed as well, in prime time, 17:00.


Rugbytv.ro will continue to broadcast one Super Liga match and maybe (but a big maybe) some second division matches.


Second Division will kick off in September with 8 teams while 3rd Division will kick off in October with 6 teams which will have a competition manual that will allow them to integrate junior players easily.


Good news is that all Super Liga clubs looks financially solid and there are good signs that next year an 8th team will be added. Probably Navodari will do the big step and it will be important that the area with biggest density of juniors clubs will have a team in first division.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

All sounds promising, particularly if the league is managing to both increase the number of teams and get increased TV coverage. I'll be tuning in to highlights to get my rugby fix after the end of Super Rugby and Pro Rugby and to see how Timisoara might shape up against Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup. Looking at the team lists on Wikipedia I'll be supporting Steaua Bucharest as they seem to have the largest proportion of home grown (through their youth team?) and Romanian players, including amongst their backs.

What division are FC Farul Constanța in? I see that Glasgow Warriors signed their Fijian scrum half Nemia Kenatale. Seems very strange for them to sign a player who is 30 years old (so not a young prospect) who apparently was not even in the Romanian top division? Do you have relegation / promotion?

Also, is the winter weather bad/cold in Romania? I guess you are the only top league in the EU to play at this time of year I think which might help you in the November international test window, but might hurt you in June internationals?

 

[dragos03]

Farul Constanta doesn't exist any more but they used to play in the top division. The Wikipedia lists are old, Kenatale went to Glasgow from Steaua Bucharest, indeed a strange transfer since he wasn't normally a starter at Steaua.

The winter is usually harsh in Romania, especially in January and February when the league is forced to take a break.

There is promotion and relegation between the leagues but it rarely happens because the top tier is professional (Superliga) while the second division (DNS) is semi-pro. The gap between them is huge, both in terms of budgets and the quality of the teams. As a result, the winner of the second division usually decides not to promote. This year is an exception, a club decided to go pro and move up (Poli Iasi) and the Superliga increased from 6 teams to 7.

 

[dragos03]

The 100th edition of the rugby championship of Romania, now named the Superliga, starts tomorrow. The first championship was played in 1914 and was won by TCR Bucharest.

First round matches:
Baia Mare vs Poli Iasi
Steaua vs U Cluj
CSM Bucharest vs Dinamo


Transfer List

Timisoara Saracens

In:
Horatiu Pungea (prop <- Oyonnax) 30 caps for Romania, ex: Scarlets, Lyon
Eddie Aholelei (Tongan prop <- London Welsh) 9 caps for Tonga, ex: Rebels
Emiliano Calle (Argentine fly half <- Mendoza)
Ovidiu Sarpe (fly half <- CSS Dinicu Golescu)

Out:
Alex Tarus (prop -> Beziers) 13 caps for Romania
Manasa Saulo (Fijian prop -> Toulon) 27 caps for Fiji
Semisi Mahe (Tongan prop -> CSM Bucharest)
Sioeli Nau (Tongan centre -> CSM Bucharest) 18 caps for Tonga
Lemeki Nabalei (Fijian n8 -> CSM Bucharest)
Samiu Muna (Tongan scrum half -> CSM Bucharest)


Baia Mare

In:
Iuri Natriashvili (Georgian hooker <- Toulon) 40 caps for Georgia
Alex Tigla (scrum half <- CSM Bucharest) Romania 7s
Sikuea Taliauli (Tongan wing/fullback) Tonga 7s
Mihai Lamboiu (centre <- Tomitanii Constanta)
Michael Doneghan (Scottish centre/wing <- Macon) ex:Glasgow Warriors, Scotland U20
Cristi Cotetiu (fly half - promoted from the local academy)

Out:
Georgel Catuna (winger -> U Cluj) 2 caps for Romania
Daniel Cubas (scrum half)
Ionut Stan (prop), Paul Ailenei (lock) -> quit rugby


Steaua

In:
Petru Tamba (prop <- L'Aquila) 3 caps for Romania
Vlad Badalicescu (prop <- L'Aquila) 7 caps for Romania
Florin Surugiu (scrum half <- Calvisano) 54 caps for Romania
Florin Vlaicu (utility back <- Calvisano) 93 caps for Romania
Quinton Crocker (SA utility back <- College Rovers) ex: Sharks, Bulldogs
Amiran Chiteishvili (Georgian lock <- Aia Kutaisi)

Out:
Nemia Ranuku (Fijian scrum half -> Glasgow) 39 caps for Fiji
Ravulo Malakai (Fijian flanker -> Macon) 38 caps for Fiji
Vasilica Pascu (centre -> Dinamo)
Andrei Filip (fly half -> Dinamo) 2 caps for Romania
Alin Ghiarasim (flanker -> Dinamo)


CSM Bucharest

In:
Mario Arvinte (flanker <- Castres espoirs)
Faasen Daniel Cornelius (SA scrum half <- L'Aquila) ex: EP Kings, SWD Eagles
Dumitru Constantin (prop) ex: Steaua
Semisi Mahe (Tongan prop <- Timisoara Saracens) Tonga U20
Sioeli Nau (Tongan centre <- Timisoara Saracens) 18 caps for Tonga, ex Baia Mare
Lemeki Nabalei (Fijian n8 <- Timisoara Saracens)
Alessio Mattoccia (Italian centre <- L'Aquila)
Samiu Muna (Tongan scrum half <- Timisoara Saracens) Tonga A, 7s

Out:
Alexandru Tigla (scrum half -> Baia Mare)
Andrei Mitroi (lock -> Dinamo)
Vasile Dragos (flanker -> CSM Bucharest)


Dinamo

In:
Madalin Baraulea (prop <- Stejarul Buzau) 3 caps for Romania, ex:Steaua
Dragos Dumitrescu (prop <- Eemland)
Andrei Mitroi (lock <- CSM Bucharest)
Vasilica Pascu (centre <- Steaua)
Andrei Filip (fly half <- Steaua) 2 caps for Romania
Alin Ghiarasim (flanker <- Steaua)

Out:
Victor Leon (prop) Moldovan international
Eduard Ciaparii (scrum half -> U Cluj)
Samuel Cira (prop -> U Cluj)
Sorin Suciu (lock -> U Cluj)
Pasquale Bernardo (Italian winger)


U Cluj

In:
Georgel Catuna (winger <- Baia Mare) 2 caps for Romania
Vasile Dragos (flanker <- CSM Bucharest)
Eduard Ciaparii (scrum half <- Dinamo)
Samuel Cira (prop <- Dinamo)
Ionut Simion (flanker)
Sorin Suciu (lock <- Dinamo)
Razvan Socaciu (fullback <- Gens Cluj)
Andrei Balok (scrum half from their U18 team)


Poli Iasi

In:
Ionut Melecciu (hooker <- Steaua)
Marian Morosan (scrum half <- RC Montmélianaise)
Welile Wex Ntozakhe (SA flanker <- Griffons)
Alex Moa (Tongan flanker <- Steaua)
J.P. Taljaard (SA centre <- Griquas)
Shaun Prins (SA centre <- Griffons)
Hein Bezuidenhout (SA fly half/fullback <- Griffons)
Atelea Moa (Tongan winger <- Marist) Tonga A, Tonga 7s
Semisi Tei (Tongan winger <- Marist) Tonga U23, Tonga 7s

Out:
Andrei Mahu (lock -> Kuban Krasnodar) Moldovan international
Nicu Ignea
Marian Nastasiei
Andrei Fanariu
Dragos Ciubotariu
Stefan Rusu

 

[amz]

Worth saying that Super Liga will be available live on http://www.rugbytv.ro/

This week-end:
Saturday 30 July
CSM Baia Mare - Politehnica Iasi 11:00
CSA Steaua - U Cluj 17:00

Sunday 31st July
CSM Bucuresti - CS Dinamo 17:00

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Thanks. I'll probably avoid scores and hope that the RomanianRugby channel on Youtube updates within 48hrs after the game (they appear to post full games but highlights are harder to come by?). I was looking at some of this yesterday and some decent wee stadia at CSM Bucuresti & Steaua. I guess going from last seasons results and the signings made we might be looking at:

- Timisoara, Baia Mare, Steaua and CSM challenging for the title (with CSM making a step up this year to maybe be a favourite?)
- Dinamo probably getting closer to Steaua but also probably facing a challenge in mid-table from Poli Iasi.
- Cluj really struggling and probably being a distant last?

 

[dragos03]

Timisoara is the big favourite again and the only clubs that can challenge them are Baia Mare and Steaua.

The other 4 clubs will fight for the middle and bottom positions. I suspect Dinamo or CSM will make it to the semifinals, while either Cluj or Poli Iasi will finish last. Btw, there is no way CSM can fight for the title, they have lost almost all of their good players.

 

[Croket66]

Thanks. I'll probably avoid scores and hope that the RomanianRugby channel on Youtube updates within 48hrs after the game (they appear to post full games but highlights are harder to come by?). I was looking at some of this yesterday and some decent wee stadia at CSM Bucuresti & Steaua. I guess going from last seasons results and the signings made we might be looking at:

- Timisoara, Baia Mare, Steaua and CSM challenging for the title (with CSM making a step up this year to maybe be a favourite?)
- Dinamo probably getting closer to Steaua but also probably facing a challenge in mid-table from Poli Iasi.
- Cluj really struggling and probably being a distant last?

During the last season, CSM lost 30 players!
props Tamba, Badalicescu, Vasiliu, Nere, Gordas, Tea, Ulumbelashvili
hookers Turashvili, Sakalia, Beca
locks Ratiu, Romanov, Mitroi, Ageacai
backrowers Paila, Carpo, Taavili, Melinte, V.Dragos
scrumhalves Tuigamala, Ivan, Surugiu
flyhalves Ralulu, Vlaicu, Taljard
centres Masima, Paea, Suniula
winger Tabu and fullback Malupo

My predictions : 1-Timisoara 2-Steaua 3-Baia Mare 4-CSM 5-Iasi 6-Dinamo 7-Cluj

dragos, I will be annoying but I checked all Tonga's game since 2006, I haven't saw this Sioeli Nau a single time... Maybe I lied on his CV thanks to the confusion with the other Sioeli Nau or something... In any case, a 28 years old centre capped 18 times for Tonga would have played more than he played for Baia Mare or Timisoara. He is not even in the teamsheet for CSM tomorrow.

 

[dragos03]

You are probably right, there's something dubious about this player. I'll go watch CSM vs Dinamo tomorrow and maybe ask the officials what they think about him.

First FT results; Baia Mare - Poli Iasi 35-10

My prediction: 1.Timisoara 2.Baia Mare 3.Steaua 4.Dinamo 5.CSM 6.Iasi 7. Cluj

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Worth saying that Super Liga will be available live on http://www.rugbytv.ro/

This week-end:
Saturday 30 July
CSM Baia Mare - Politehnica Iasi 11:00
CSA Steaua - U Cluj 17:00

Sunday 31st July
CSM Bucuresti - CS Dinamo 17:00

I couldn't get the window to go full screen. Is that a problem at my end?

EDIT: different media player this afternoon and it is working.

Also apologies for my ignorance on CSM Bucharest, I didn't know they'd lost so many players, its just they seem to have signed so many of Timisoara's backs (mainly Tongans) that I thought they were maybe able to pay decent wages.