Romanian Rugby

[dragos03]

I was also on vacation and didn't see the matches until today. Very intense match between Timisoara and Steaua (Timisoara won 8-6). The champions look rusty and have a lot of injuries, worrying signs ahead of the Challenge Cup. They lost another 2 players today with apparently serious injuries (Moala and Aholelei).

Many surprising results in the league so far and I think it's a good thing, we need balanced matches not one-sided trashings. Regarding Plai, he is definetly a talent but he often seems too ambitious and creative for the possibilities of his team. I think he tries to copy moves from Super Rugby or other strong leagues that he watches on tv, too bad that the backs of Iasi can't properly execute such actions. He could be more effective at a more powerful club.

In other news, Superliga has finally been included on the most important results website:
http://www.flashscores.co.uk/rugby-union/romania/superliga/

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Just come back from vacation, what a result by CSM! Glad that SL bring such surprises. Timisoara - Steaua match from today should be much more interesting given last round results. On another news, Yannick Vignette is the new Director of Romanian Junior National teams: http://www.larepubliquedespyrenees....-nouveau-defi-de-yannick-vignette,2026436.php https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yannick_Vignette I don't know much about him but he make it with Pau in a challenge Cup final. This is very good news as it was clear from some time that junior squads needed moore coordination and a head coach as opposed to the previous system where for every other generation it was appointed a differet coach.

I thought you'd maybe been arrested for insider knowledge of the Dinamo fans flare controversy!

Could only see the last 20mins after work. Steaua blew a last minute chance by being too greedy with a penalty kick to touch. I guess they'll not be dismayed with a defensive bonus point. Timisoara seem to really be struggling to convert pressure into points this season, they are the lowest scoring team in the tournament! Is that a new thing for them? Glad to see lots of advertising hoardings, including jumbo ones. Hopefully other clubs will be able to draw advertising too given the TV coverage.

Interesting on Vignette. I know nothing about the man myself but his pedigree seems decent, although I couldn't find any trace of what he has done since 2008? Would you say more young Romanians are getting a chance in the league this year than has sometimes been the case in the past? Four of the teams have very young Romanians as first choice at 10 for example.

Also, I read it is new this season that the 1st seed misses the first week of the playoffs? So 2nd and 3rd will play a playoff to face the 1st seed I take it? If so, I like that. Playoffs are great, but you have to give the teams that finish first (or first and second in a league with more teams) as much advantage as possible. So homefield and a weeks rest increases the chance that the best team lifts the trophy and makes fighting for the league positions before the playoffs more important.

- - - Updated - - -

I was also on vacation and didn't see the matches until today. Very intense match between Timisoara and Steaua (Timisoara won 8-6). The champions look rusty and have a lot of injuries, worrying signs ahead of the Challenge Cup. They lost another 2 players today with apparently serious injuries (Moala and Aholelei).

Ah, that might explain their lack of scoring. Possibly a stupid question, but is there any way they can register new players in mid-season to try and get some replacements for the injuries (if they are unable to play this year).

 

[dragos03]

I don't think they can register players mid-season but I guess it would be technically possible to sign a few replacements just for the Challenge Cup. They would be unable to play in the first half of the Superliga since the transfer window is over but they could be used in the European matches and the final part of the demoestic season. They look especially weak at tighthead, Aholelei is out with what looked to be a serious injury, while Pungea was poor today and is recovering after an injury of his own.

Timisoara's lack of scoring is also due to the heavy rotation. They target the Challenge Cup and use the Superliga matches for testing purposes, since they will qualify for the playoffs anyway. With no pre-season tests and 8-10 players changed after every match, they lack cohesion.

Vignette has coached a French Federale 1 club last season. I think he's experienced enough for the role, Romanian junior national teams didn't even have a dedicated coach until now.

In the past seasons there were very few (or none) good young Romanian players on certain positions, especially at 10/15. Fly half has been a critical weakness of the Oaks for many years. I'm happy to see that there are several exciting prospects in the current young generation, guys like Boldor, Plai or Melniciuc seem to have genuine talent. I'm also impressed by the very young fullback Simionescu from Timisoara, he played very well today even if Steaua tried to target him with high balls and keep him constantly under pressure at the end of the match. He even sent a massive kick from his own 22 to get a lineout in Steaua's 22.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully Timisoara get healthier in time for the start of the Challenge cup. Any word yet on the Challenge Cup qualifying tournament? Will Baia Mare be involved as runners up?

I went to check out yesterdays highlights and it still seems like all of the games they stream (that aren't on Dolce sports) use a media player that you can't make full screen (on Internet Explorer, Chrome or Firefox). It's a real shame given that they are now putting commentary on these streams (so they are making an effort). I don't think it is just me as someone left a message in Romanian that seemed to be suggesting the same thing.

http://www.rugbytv.ro/vezi/worldrugbynationscup/2016-world-rugby-nations-cup

I wanted to have a look at Oprea. I had a quick look and wondered why Baia Mare's scrum-half kept passing it to one of their locks, then realised Oprea is 6'4"? Just about the tallest man on the pitch playing at 10. It must be a disadvantage to kick from hand with that height. I'm no expert but I think that will make it difficult for him to develop at that position (I know it was mentioned above that he was previously considered a winger). Hopefully I'm wrong.

Poli Iasi currently putting Cluj to the sword. Again flowing rugby (a good second try) but I'm guessing from their disappointment last week they are going to struggle to get their backs into the game against the top three teams with the strongest forward packs who can dominate at the breakdown. I'll be impressed if Sava can find some sort of solution to that problem to make them more competitive against the top 3. Although finishing 4th in their debut season would still obviously be an achievement.

 

[dragos03]

The matches that are not on Dolce are actually streamed through this website:
https://www.privesc.eu/

You can use it instead of rugbytv.ro during the live broadcast, the quality is better and I think it works fullscreen (the archived ones do, at least).

The final score was a bit unfair for Cluj but Poli Iasi have definetly improved a lot. Sava is trying to play a modern gameplan that's spectacular when it works (like at their second try of the match). Iasi won't be able to challenge the top 3 clubs but can beat the rest and might become a threat next season if they keep their current squad and sign a few more decent players.

I liked young flanker Ilie (named man of the match), Plai and the two Moas. From Cluj, young front rower Telesa was solid in scrums and their most dangerous runner, despite being a prop.

As for Oprea, I think he's more of an utility back who's able to cover centre and wing as well. He seems to lack the creativity of Boldor, Plai or Melniciuc (who was dreadful today).

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

The matches that are not on Dolce are actually streamed through this website:
https://www.privesc.eu/

Yeah those streams work fine, thanks so much - they also don't list the score which means I can watch it delayed with no spoilers. It'll help me keep track of Steaua's march to the ***le.

I had some concerns today again with Plai's kicking out of hand. But I'd imagine of all the things a flyhalf does, that's the one that can most easily be improved. It's a godsend for him hopefully having young Boldor as a rival in the years to come. It means neither can be complacent about their play and must look to improve a little every game/season if they want to play internationals. In Scotland we have a flyhalf (Finn Russell, 24yrs) who is still quite a raw talent but is so much better and younger than the other options that I'm not convinced he feels the pressure to develop as a player as much as he should.

 

[dragos03]

Keep in mind that Plai has only been a pro player for less than 6 months. Until then he was just a part timer in the second division, usually playing on awful pitches that prevented effective back play and with poor coaching. He's still exploring what a fly half can do with the support of a modern-minded coach and a reasonable backline.

He will have to face competition not only from guys like Boldor, but also from foreign eligible players, at the moment Timisoara's Jody Rose is the starter for the Oaks, a talented but capricious player who was selected for South Africa A in the past. As you said, Plai and the others can only benefit from the competition and it gives them a strong reason to improve.

 

[amz]

I thought you'd maybe been arrested for insider knowledge of the Dinamo fans flare controversy!

Actually it was quieter than Cup match

I watched Timisoara - Steaua, a close game and the hosts aren't looking too good right now for Challenge Cup but they have a lot of injuries and it seems that those keep coming...hopefully some players will be back until the kick off.

Iasi - Cluj was a nice match, some very nice attacking play from Iasi. Additional to those mentioned by dragos, I also liked no. 4 (Toader) and no. 9 (Vaman).

About Plai, I think he still experiments. He looked to me too relaxed yesterday, he made two knock-ons purely from lack of attention. He will need to keep an eye on his team, his eye for finding space and running at it is excellent but it's not always the best idea and he should liaise more with his colleagues. He also needs some muscular mass and strength conditioning. Otherwise, fantastic evolution for him in such a short time, I wonder how many gems are in second division undiscovered.

Generally there are some nice young backs coming trough the ranks like Plai, Boldor, Simionescu, Zaharia.

I agree about Oprea, he should play center or fullback, or even wing, he's simply too tall for a fly-half. But Apjock have a strange way of his own, considering he was a capped fly-half, for him the best centers are players with flanker skill set. He's too conservative for my taste and although he generally does a good job as coach he doesn't give any sign that he will develop and refine his game plan.

 

[dragos03]

Poli Iasi vs U Cluj highlights, including the great second try scored by the hosts:
https://www.facebook.com/1571666443045938/videos/1841815322697714/

 

[Croket66]

Poli Iasi vs U Cluj highlights, including the great second try scored by the hosts:
https://www.facebook.com/1571666443045938/videos/1841815322697714/

Great try
Very nice to see new blood in this league

 

[amz]

Great try
Very nice to see new blood in this league

All teams have new blood. Steaua is playing with a 19 yo fly-half (Boldor), Timisoara regularly started with 20 yo Romanian backs (Zaharia, Simionescu), Baia Mare is starting with 20 yo forwards (Cojocaru hooker ahead of Natriashvili, Chirica at backrow, Iurea in the second row).

 

[dragos03]

I think Croket means there is finally a new club in the Superliga.

It's almost unbelivable how fast the Iasi players have developed once they went professional. Last year they finished 4th in the second division, now they already have two wins and are able to execute nice attacking moves. Young guys like Plai, Toader or Butnariu might be tested by the naional team.

Hopefully the example of Iasi will make other clubs from the second division attempt promotion as well (like Navodari or Buzau). They can see that a professional setup and a few cheap transfers were enough to make Iasi competitive in the Superliga. They might still get trashed by the top clubs like Timisoara but can beat the rest.

 

[amz]

Here is the list of games from this Superliga season who can be viewed online (credits to Danie for doing this, I'll just translate it):

1st Round:
Saturday, 30th July, Baia Mare, Arena Zimbrilor, ora 11.00
Știința Baia Mare v Politehnica Iași 35-10
full match: https://www.privesc.eu/arhiva/68290

Saturday, 30th July, București, Ghencea (Rugby), ora 17.00
Steaua v "U" Cluj-Napoca 45-6

Sunday, 31st July, București, Olimpia, ora 17.00
CSM Olimpia v Dinamo 25-33
DolceTV highlights: https://www.dolce-sport.ro/sporturi/rugby/dinamo-debutat-cu-o-victorie.html


2nd Round:
Friday, 5th August, Timișoara, Arena Gh.Rășcanu, ora 17.00
Timișoara Saracens v Știința Baia Mare 19-12
first half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EDvUVA2gVU
second half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0IrpG6fj-U


Saturday, 6th August, Iași, Stadion Tepro-Tineretului, ora 11.00
Politehnica Iași v CSM Olimpia 39-19
full match: https://www.privesc.eu/Arhiva/68379...SM-Olimpia-Bucuresti--SuperLiga-CEC-BANK-2016

Sunday, 7th August, București, Arena Florea Dumitrache (Parc Dinamo), ora 17.00
Dinamo v Steaua 21-27
full match: https://www.dolce-sport.ro/sporturi/rugby/steaua-ca-tigat-derbiul-cu.html


3rd Round
Friday, 12th august, Cluj-Napoca, Arena Iuliu Hațieganu, ora 11.00
"U" Cluj-Napoca v Dinamo 25-20
full match: https://www.privesc.eu/Arhiva/68389...-CS-Dinamo-Bucuresti--SuperLiga-CEC-BANK-2016

Friday, 12th August, București, Olimpia, ora 17.00
CSM Olimpia v Timișoara Saracens 16-12
full match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGwsiOhOFkQ

Sunday, 14th August, București, Ghencea (rugby), ora 11.00
Steaua v Politehnica Iași 37-11
Dolce highlights: https://www.dolce-sport.ro/sporturi/rugby/steaua-poli-ia-i-37.html


4th Round:
Friday, 19th August, Timișoara, Arena Gh.Rășcanu, ora 17.00
Timișoara Saracens v Steaua 8-6
First half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPYwCMszZXQ
Second half: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3kSVt-xprc

Saturday, 20th August, Baia Mare, Arena Zimbrilor, ora 11.00
Știința Baia Mare v CSM Olimpia 53-25
full match: https://www.privesc.eu/arhiva/68390...=widget&utm_term=live_68390&utm_campaign=logo

Sunday, 21st August, Iași, Stadion Tepro-Tineretului, ora 17.00
Politehnica Iași v "U" Cluj-Napoca 25-3
highlights: https://www.facebook.com/1571666443045938/videos/1842111822668064/

 

[tommyc121]

the super liga been great so far. iasi been really impressive. so that good. when does 2 division start. not heard anything when it will start?

 

[amz]

the super liga been great so far. iasi been really impressive. so that good. when does 2 division start. not heard anything when it will start?

It was also a surprise for us that players who were 2nd division last season are doing so well in SL; but there is an explanation, now they are professionals and they train daily so the difference is visible. Also Sava is a very good coach.

 

[tommyc121]

yes done well iasi really impressive some good rugby as well. beat csm well cluj to very easily i thought so worry for those sides. anyway sorry i did mean navodaria and galati and arad league i mean when does that start?

 

[amz]

Not sure about DNS, probably end of September. I'll announce here when I'll know for sure.

 

[tommyc121]

suprised that very late. what thinking around that? consider snow season will come .

 

[amz]

It isn't late and you rarely get snow until the middle of December; Usually you get the most snow in January and February. Also DNS have 8 teams so it isn't a very long season. Most probably 3rd Division (Divizia A) will kick off in October with 6 teams (still things to be decided), from which 2 I think come back as active senior teams (CFR-CSU Brasov and Metrorex). Also Tomitanii junior club will be allowed to use players from U20 championship in Divizia A. I still didn't see the program of this competition so take it with a pinch of salt, it is just what I gathered from discussion with various people and not clear official info.

 

[tommyc121]

thank you i was just asking when it start. and well done to steaua last night against baia mare i think they could make the final .