Romanian Rugby

[amz]

The new equipment looks ridiculous indeed; old retro Oaks one with red socks, blue shorts and yellow t-shirt it was always great but hardly used. Than change it so radically from year to year is does not help the team to create an identity of its own.

About the broadcasting rights it may be a good financial deal from TVR however the decrease in audience is huge given the low market share of Dolce.

Sad news about Super Liga but I think is still time to find a 8th team.

All three news are pretty bad from my point of view, not a good week so far.

 

[dragos03]

I don't think the Dolce deal is bad news. I doubt there will be a huge decrease in audience, TVR was doing an awful job to promote rugby and I think their audience was very low as well. The deal gives rugby fans a strong reason to switch to Dolce, who also broadcast the 6 Nations. They also have the rights for this year's Football World Cup, this will surely increase their market share a bit.

Of course, it would have been better to sell the rights to Digi, who have over 50% coverage, too bad they weren't interested. So what could the FRR do, refuse the money from Dolce and allow TVR to continue to broadcast the matches for free? TVR even cut the feed of Georgia vs Romania two years ago to show a second division football match.

However, I hope there are some strict terms in the contract with Dolce, they should be forced to broadcast as many matches as possible.

 

[amz]

Problem is there are areas where you don't have access to Dolce at all.

As for Football World Cup, I don't give a penny. Is in the same year with Olympics?

 

[dragos03]

You mean in rural areas? Do you think rugby was ever going to become popular there anyway? Dolce is available in all cities, that's what matters. And there's no excuse for rugby fans not to get it now, especially since they apparently also have the rights for the Four Nations. Basically all the rugby will be on one broadcaster, with only the European Champions Cup matches on Digi.

I don't care about the Football WC either but it might increase the overall coverage of Dolce.

In other news, Navodari has signed three former Farul players: Ionut Puisoru, Stere Sponte (who returns to rugby after several years) and Iulian Zapan. I also heard a rumour that Viorel Lucaci has an offer from a Western club.

 

[dragos03]

The FRR website has published the translation of an article from The Independent:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...rope-joining-in-best-tournament-a6840196.html

In the article, John Feehan plainly states there is no chance at all for the 6 Nations to be expanded, that it is a closed competition and it's not their problem if Romania and Georgia can't find a solution to play more matches against top teams. What a surprise

The article also quotes Rugby Europe president Octavian Morariu, who points out again that rugby can't develop in the two countries without more opportunities.

In my opinion, Romania should go to an EU court and legally challenge the closed status of European rugby competitions (club competitions as well) and the lack of equal chances. I think it's the only option to force a change in the system and as a memeber of the European Union Romania has the legal right to start such a procedure. There is no point in waiting any longer, 10 years have passed since our last Tier 1 test (despite being competitive against Tier 1 nations at every recent World Cup) and this year we seem to be the only Tier 2 nation that will not play against a Tier 1 one.

 

[amz]

Only sure way forward for Romanian rugby is to create a powerful internal competition. Worked in the past, should also work now. If something else will be achieved with respect to regular Tier 1 tests, even better.

Besides the internal competition we should look to help our neighbours, especially Moldova. An yearly test (even with a second string team) with Moldova and maybe Poland or Ukraine will prove we can do with Tier 3 what they don't do with Tier 2.

 

[dragos03]

We have already created about the strongest internal competition that we can. Superliga is a decent professional league but will not grow any further since our clubs can't play in European competitions.

Playing some tests will our neigbours would be nice but it won't help them grow, their level is just too low. And we have been playing weaker nations for so many years anyway. Georgia for example have raised their level by playing against us every year, until eventually they became better than us. It will be the same with the others, if for example a rich country like Germany will raise their level by playing against Romania and Georgia, they will be included in all competitions in record time, while we will remain stuck in our meaningless cup that nobody cares about.

To force the hand of World Rugby, Romania and Georgia should just retire from the ENC at this point. We should rather play 4-5 tests per year against Georgia than stay in the ENC, it would be much better for development. We should refuse to host the Nations Cup as well, let others pay for it.

 

[amz]

I doubt that Georgia will agree to play 4-5 tests/ year with us and retire from ENC...problem is with releasing players for test windows.

 

[dragos03]

Test windows would stay the same. We'd just play against Georgia every time instead of the current ENC fixtures. To avoid any release issues, some of these matches could be between A sides (I'd rather have Romania A play against Georgia A than against Ukraine or Bulgaria anyway). It would benefit both nations much more than the current system and probably have full stadiums in both countries for every game.

This is not a solution, of course. It would just be a way for Romania and Georgia to work together and force a change in European rugby. Our withdrawal from the ENC would make it a complete farce. At the same time, our matches against Georgia would have a much higher standard than the ENC (better and bigger stadiums unlike some of the parks and swamps used in the ENC - remember Nebug, quality live TV coverage for every match, good attendance, better standard of play). The increased standard would be good propaganda for 6N expansion.

 

[amz]

Problem is such move would only give them an argument to claim that since we refuse to play Tier 3 why they should bother to play Tier 2.

 

[dragos03]

Why would we care what they claim? It's all bull**** anyway.

Even the talk about the "tradition" of the 6 Nations and the economic impact is nothing but a lie. Look what happened at U18 level: Georgia and Portugal won a few matches, relegating two 6N U18 teams. Next season they all withdrew from the competition and started their own ringfenced one. At U18 level, there is no tradition to speak of and there are no commercial prospects anyway. They just ruthlessly broke the wings of those kids without bothering to look for an excuse.

There's no reason to continue to discuss this, Romania and Georgia will not withdraw from the ENC. But we should do it and also sue them in EU courts, or else we'll just keep waiting for a change until rugby in our country will die completely.

 

[stus768]

The FRR website has published the translation of an article from The Independent:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...rope-joining-in-best-tournament-a6840196.html

In the article, John Feehan plainly states there is no chance at all for the 6 Nations to be expanded, that it is a closed competition and it's not their problem if Romania and Georgia can't find a solution to play more matches against top teams. What a surprise

The article also quotes Rugby Europe president Octavian Morariu, who points out again that rugby can't develop in the two countries without more opportunities.

In my opinion, Romania should go to an EU court and legally challenge the closed status of European rugby competitions (club competitions as well) and the lack of equal chances. I think it's the only option to force a change in the system and as a memeber of the European Union Romania has the legal right to start such a procedure. There is no point in waiting any longer, 10 years have passed since our last Tier 1 test (despite being competitive against Tier 1 nations at every recent World Cup) and this year we seem to be the only Tier 2 nation that will not play against a Tier 1 one.

John Feehan seems like a massive tool. His answer to any suggested change in the 6 nations is that it's the biggest annual rugby championship in the world so y change? He says the same thing in the times regarding moving it to enable a better global season.

 

[tommyc121]

i personally think romania and georgia have both prove themselves in world cup. i am finding hard why six nations and european rugby are not giving a chance. six nations would be way better if there was relgation then be more push teams from tier 2 to perform to best they can. its just boring with itlay who are not best form and there teams in itlay are poor very. doesnt make any sense why romania or georgia and tier 2 teams cant push just boring. and will leave tier 2 teams have no chance world cup to cause upset that will push rugby ever lower in these countries. strange i think romania did well and georgia but i got feeling that this all down to poltics not about rugby//

 

[Tony Manx]

i personally think romania and georgia have both prove themselves in world cup. i am finding hard why six nations and european rugby are not giving a chance. six nations would be way better if there was relgation then be more push teams from tier 2 to perform to best they can. its just boring with itlay who are not best form and there teams in itlay are poor very. doesnt make any sense why romania or georgia and tier 2 teams cant push just boring. and will leave tier 2 teams have no chance world cup to cause upset that will push rugby ever lower in these countries. strange i think romania did well and georgia but i got feeling that this all down to poltics not about rugby//

Politics in the form of money my friend!!!! What was that song....
Money makes the World go round!!!

 

[tommyc121]

that is main reason sure but i was looking at wider picture. romania is in eu georgia isnt and people not sure of georgia as country these people who make these decisions going on base will it be safe so on. romania however is eu and i visited and had no issues so and easy to get to from england an other six nations countries so excuse is poor i feel making mistake for these countries to have chance to mix with big boys in world rugby they forget it also make teams better in tier 2 by playing top level teams. as in world cup both them punch way above there weight. so baffles me.

 

[dragos03]

The match against Portugal on Saturday will probably have a very low attendance due to the clash with the Romania vs Czech Republic Fed Cup match that will be played in Cluj at the same time. Romanian tennis is hugely popular at the moment, especially Simona Halep. The Czechs are the current Fed Cup champions and their team includes stars like Petra Kvitova. The tennis matches are already sold out.

Two Superliga veterans have retired, both were also former internationals:
- centre Cristian Dinis (Baia Mare)
- prop Madalin Baraulea (Steaua)

Baraulea in particular was a good player who deserved to have more caps for the Oaks. Due to the tough competition in this position, he only played a few times for the national team but he remained a very solid prop at Superliga level and for the Bucharest Wolves.


Regarding the Six Nations, it's not a question of money. Opening up the 6N with a promotion-relegation system would maybe cause a temporary financial loss but eventually the revenues will increase a lot because rugby would become popular all over Europe, once every nation could potentially reach the top level. Rugby would enter major markets like Germany or Russia, with significant TV rights and the potential to attract very big sponsors.

The real reason why expansion doesn't happen is fear. The home nations know that if rugby goes global and everyone gets a fair chance, they can't compete and they will become minor contenders (like they are in football, except England). This is already happening in the SH, where they can't stop expansion and nations like Argentina or Japan are on the rise. So they are doing everything they can to stop the growth in Europe (look at the recent decisions at club and U18 level), in order to delay the inevitable.

 

[amz]

Heard a rumor that Baraulea and Tatu (retired from Steaua?) will play for Stejarul Buzau next season. But I can't find the link anymore, it was from a local press.

Oaks XV for Portugal:

1. Pristavita
2. Radoi
3. Tarus
4. Van Heerden
5. Poparlan
6. Lucaci
7. Nistor
8. Burcea
9. Calafeteanu
10. Vlaicu
11. Sheehan
12. Ionita
13. Kinikinilau
14. Lemnaru
15. Fercu

16. Capatana
17. Dico
18. Vasiliu
19. Antonescu
20. Gorcioaia
21. Palii
22. Melniciuc
23. Botezatu

 

[dragos03]

Romanian team vs Portugal:
1.Constantin Pristavita (Stiinta Baia Mare)
2. Andrei Radoi (Timisoara Saracens)
3. Alexandru Tarus (Timisoara Saracens)
4. Johan Van Heerden (Stiinta Baia Mare)
5. Valentin Poparlan (Timisoara Saracens)
6. Viorel Lucaci (CSA Steaua Bucuresti)
8. Vlad Nistor (Castres Olympique)
7. Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens) (captain)
9. Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens)
10. Florin Vlaicu (Calvisano)
11. Stephen Shennan (Timisoara Saracens)
12. Florin Ionita (CSA Steaua Bucuresti)
13. Paula Kinikinilau (Timisoara Saracens)
14. Madalin Lemnaru (Timisoara Saracens)
15. Catalin Fercu (Saracens)

Subs: 16. Eugen Capatana (Timisoara Saracens), 17. Mihai Dico (Stiinta Baia Mare), 18. Silviu Vasiliu (CSA Steaua Bucuresti), 19. Marius Antonescu (Tarbes), 20. Andrei Gorcioaia (Valence d’Agen), 21. Alexandru Palii (Stiinta Baia Mare), 22. Ovidiu Melniciuc (U Cluj), 23. Ionut Botezatu (Stiinta Baia Mare)

Wing Stephen Shennan will play his first match for the Oaks and there are three more debutants on the bench: Vasiliu, Palii and Melniciuc.

I hoped to see more youngsters like Bratu, Ilisescu or Motoc in this match but they will all have their chance for sure. I'm surprised that Rose is not in the match squad, he was in great form at his club.

Here's a selection of tries scored by Timisoara Saracens in the Challenge Cup Qualifiers:

 

[dragos03]

Heard a rumor that Baraulea and Tatu (retired from Steaua?) will play for Stejarul Buzau next season. But I can't find the link anymore, it was from a local press.

Yes, it seems that Tatu and Baraulea will continue at Buzau. Other transfers for Stejarul: Teodor Nitu (fly half, Dinamo), Madalin Bulearca (backrow, Steaua), Florian Iordan (flyhalf/centre, Steaua), Marius Lacatus (winger, Dinamo) and Alin Dumitrache (center, Dinamo). These are some solid additions for a club like Buzau, they want to fight for promotion next season.

A few other transfers:
- Moldovan international hooker/prop Igor Orghianu (Steaua) might join Poli Iasi
- more new players at Navodari: Ionut Hopirtac (centre, French lower leagues), Gabrile Slusar (flyhalf, Callatis Mangalia), Marius Raicea (prop, ex-Farul), Cristian Arefi (fullback, Cleopatra Mamaia) and Sebastian Agapie (scrum half, Cleopatra Mamaia).

I'm leaving the breaking news at the end: according to Harry Dumitras there is finally a confirmed Tier 1 test for Romania: against Italy in 2018. It's ridiculous that we have to wait two more years but at least this test seems to be certain and not just a rumour like the Argentina one. Dumitras also said that the Oaks will use the match against Portugal to practice a wide attacking game.

 

[dragos03]

Live Romania vs Portugal on the new Rugby Europe site:
http://rugbyeurope.tv/en/content/160206-enc1a-romania-portugal