Romanian Rugby

[dragos03]

Yes, we paid the price for arrogance and complacency. It's unbelievable that Germany scored 41 points against us, more than Italy did at the RWC.

The match vs Spain is now decisive, they will come with a very high morale while our guys will be under huge pressure. To make things worse, Romania has been hit by very low temperatures and snow. It seems unlikely that the match will be played in Iasi, as originally planned, because the pitch there is in poor condition. There are -6 degrees now in Iasi and there will be -11 tonight. It might be rescheduled to Bucharest or Cluj, which would further disrupt the squad's training schedule.

Romania and Russia start with a severe disadvantage in this competition, since we are forced to play in winter and during the off-season.

 

[dragos03]

As I've feared, the match against Spain was relocated to Bucharest. Significant efforts were made at Iasi, where the city hall wanted to cover the entire pitch and use 8 rented industrial hot air blowers to unfreeze it. However, due to temperatures as low as -20 degrees in the following nights in Iasi, the FRR didn't want to take any chances.

The pitch of the Arcul de Triumf Stadium in Bucharest is covered with snow but not frozen. To avoid frost, it will only be cleared in the morning before the match, with the help of volunteers. It will probably be in bad shape but playable.

 

[tommyc121]

i watch the Germany V Romania game. And Personally i think Romania are going backwards compare to there great performances in world cup. I no they got lot of injuries but seems to me after Germany game which they played well in some aspects, they did leak lot of tries both sides Germany was the better side. Cant figure out why Jody rose is in the team. I am actually adopted from Romania always go out in summer to watch super liga and second divison Romania rugby is high at club level teams really good strong. I have to admit Georgia they been talking all about this relgation which could swing in georgia favour due to Itlay rugby isnt going well. But I dont think Romania are ready for six nations. i hope Romania can forget this lost and will go forward sign of good team is to bounce back straight away so hopefully they will there is a lot talent there for sure.

 

[amz]

The loss is indeed embarassing but without taking any merit for Germans, this is a match lost by Oaks due to arrogance and disregard of the opponent and some referee blatant mistakes; there isn't a sudden improvement of Germany or a sudden loss of value by Oaks, after all many players from this team also played in the Autumn tests. It's an accident due to the fact they played like it was a mockery not a rugby match going on; when team was focused due to a 10 minutes sin bin they scored tries whenever was needed.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Howells continues to surprise, having Oprea and Cobden train with the Oaks while the arguably superior flyhalf Plai sits at home!

Also two more players from Timisoara to CSM. Is mid season transfer activity normal in the Superliga? Should we be getting concerned about Timisoara's financial status? Could this be a consequence of the big fine they received?

And is there a decent stadium in Constanta for consideration in the future? Presumably it is warmer there?

 

[dragos03]

I don't think his selections are really surprising, Rose was horrible against Germany so a backup option was needed. Oprea is a lot more experienced than Plai, which matters since the Spain match is now crucial. Also, due to the financial problems at Iasi, Plai restarted his training late, so Oprea will have superior fitness. On a bad pitch, Oprea's size might also be useful, since he's built like a flanker.

Mid-season transfers are usually more important than the pre-season ones in the Superliga, due to the fractured nature of the competition. Basically, clubs can start with a weakened squad and spend big in the winter, after the weak spots in the team have been identified.

I don't think Timisoara has serious financial problems, it's just an end of an era there. I expect more players to leave them, while probably new ones will join in the summer. A big chance for the talented youngsters at the club.

I don't think a stadium is considered in Constanta since both the rugby team and the football one are gone. The weather is the same anyway. Outside sports just can't be played here in January and February, unless the winter happens to be unusually warm.

 

[amz]

I don't think Timisoara has serious financial problems, it's just an end of an era there. I expect more players to leave them, while probably new ones will join in the summer. A big chance for the talented youngsters at the club.

Problem is Timisoara will play qualifiers for Challenge Cup in April but I do expect some transfers soon. They lost some players but except Burcea, the rest of players didn't mattered too much. Maybe Calafeteanu could be considered as a loss due to his kicking but we haven't seen else from him from a long time and he was in very poor form, basically butchered two matches in CC. If I'd be in their place I'd try to sign Bratu (SH, Dinamo) and Alexandru Ilie (backrow, Iasi) to replace main departures, Burcea and Calafeteanu. Kinikinilau also signed for CSM Bucuresti but I do think they're covered at center with incumbent V. Popa. We can also see Conache, a neglected talent being moved at 9. I do think they have a plan and didn't let these players go without having alternatives.

About stadium, new FRR one who should be ready in two years will have heating under the pitch so this won't be an issue in the future.

List of players called by Oaks:

Ovidiu Cojocaru (CSM Baia Mare) - hooker
George Oprea (CSM Baia Mare) - fly-half
Sione Fakaosilea (CSM Baia Mare) - center
Eseria Vueti (Steaua Bucuresti) - eightman
Jack Cobden (CSM Bucuresti) - wing
Tangimana Fonovai (Timisoara Saracens) - wing/center
Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo Bucuresti) - scrum-half

Some players are not eligible yet but were called just to liaise with the team and see if they may be options in the future.

 

[tommyc121]

I don't think his selections are really surprising, Rose was horrible against Germany so a backup option was needed. Oprea is a lot more experienced than Plai, which matters since the Spain match is now crucial. Also, due to the financial problems at Iasi, Plai restarted his training late, so Oprea will have superior fitness. On a bad pitch, Oprea's size might also be useful, since he's built like a flanker.

Mid-season transfers are usually more important than the pre-season ones in the Superliga, due to the fractured nature of the competition. Basically, clubs can start with a weakened squad and spend big in the winter, after the weak spots in the team have been identified.

I don't think Timisoara has serious financial problems, it's just an end of an era there. I expect more players to leave them, while probably new ones will join in the summer. A big chance for the talented youngsters at the club.

I don't think a stadium is considered in Constanta since both the rugby team and the football one are gone. The weather is the same anyway. Outside sports just can't be played here in January and February, unless the winter happens to be unusually warm.

i think Jody Rose is poor most certainly not international fly half and looks he put weight on. maybe more club rugby get fully fit he can come back to his best. as for new players he adding hopefully it will work. but i still maintain that like to see more Romanian talent instead of Kiwi so on. As france did last year it was diaster. Itlay have doesnt work well. however its upto the coach. romania now to beat spain because i dont think they can be georgia but hopefully i am wrong

 

[dragos03]

Jody Rose was a big talent, capped by the Emerging Springboks, but he ruined his career because of his lazyness and indiscipline. He looked fat and completely unfit in Germany.

I don't have a problem if foreigners wasnt to play for Romania, I think more competition is good for the local players. They have to step up and earn their place in the team, hopefully Oprea or Plai will be good enough soon. I expect Vlaicu to start at fly half against Spain.

 

[amz]

[...]hopefully Oprea or Plai will be good enough soon. I expect Vlaicu to start at fly half against Spain.

I do think Oprea wound be better suited at 12 or 15 due to his size, you need to be quicker at 10, at least in reactions. I also expect Vlaicu to start as fly-half vs Spain.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Thanks for your responses guys. A couple of errors in my posts (I thought I'd seen Cobden at fly half and I assumed Costanta would be warmer as it is near a coast).

Another vote for Vlaicu at 10 for this critical fixture. He exceeded my expectations a little when he played there in November. I'll be rooting for Romania as the RWC needs as many teams that can compete against the Pacific Islands and Italy as possible.

 

[dragos03]

Well, Howells decided to surprise us all and start with Luke Samoa at fly half, while Vlaicu stays at 12. Another unusual positional change is Dorin Lazar at number 8. Let's hope our old Welshman knows what he's doing.

1. Mihaita LAZAR (Capt)
2. Otar TURASHVILI
3. Andrei URSACHE
4. Valentin POPARLAN
5. Johannes Van HEERDEN
6. V. LUCACI
7. Vlad NISTOR
8. Dorin LAZAR
9. Florin SURUGIU
10. Luke SAMOA
11. Stephen SHENNAN
12. Florin VLAICU
13. Jack UMAGA
14. Ionut DUMITRU
15. Catalin FERCU

Marian CAPATINA
Constantin PRISTAVITA
Alexandru TARUS
Ionut MURESAN
Andrei GORCIOAIA
Valentin CALAFETEANU
Madalin Lemnaru
Jody ROSE

 

[dragos03]

Here's the current state of the Arcul de Triumf Stadium. The snow will only be removed tomorrow morning, since it protects the grass from freezing during the night. The FRR has called for volunteers to come help starting at 7 AM.

 

[Welshdragon2000]

Here's the current state of the Arcul de Triumf Stadium. The snow will only be removed tomorrow morning, since it protects the grass from freezing during the night. The FRR has called for volunteers to come help starting at 7 AM.

Will the game definitely be on then?

 

[dragos03]

It will be played, even if the pitch turns into a muddy swamp. Worst case scenario, one of the training pitches on Arcul de Triumf is synthetic, I guess the match can be relocated there.

 

[Toko_11]

I wouldn't be too keen on cleaning up the pitch if I were Romanian, The ****ty conditions will favor physical style with a good goal kicker. Which suits Oaks perfectly.

 

[dragos03]

A small status update on the pitch condition.

I'm not sure a bad pitch favours us (and it will be bad no matter what we do), we're not as physical as we used to be, our style today is more modern. Anyway, the Spanish and Romanian unions cooperated very well to make sure the match will be played, the guests accepted the move to Bucharest but the match was moved one hour earlier to allow them to catch an internal flight to Iasi. Spain was also allowed to use all of the training facilities of the Oaks (this sounds normal, but rarely happens in the REC).

 

[amz]

When I left from stadium the pitch was in much better condition, big parts of it have snow/frost completely removed. Underneath the snow the pitch was maintained soft and with the sun we have now I think will be fine at the time of the match, maybe wet but not muddy.

 

[dragos03]

It looks much better in this video posted by Oaks scrum half Florin Surugiu with the volunteers at work:
https://www.facebook.com/florin.surugiu.56/videos/1326003597458263/

 

[amz]

Now it looks like this (photo by Florin Caruceru):