Romanian Rugby

[dragos03]

Romania - Portugal 39-14
Tries: Stephen Shennan (2), Vlad Nistor (2), Andrei Radoi / Duarte Diniz, Diogo Toon

This match was a massive change from the usual gameplan of the Oaks - instead of the usual forward-powered game, Lynn Howells went with an all-out running attacking tactic. The result was a fast-paced match, with many mistakes but some stunning attacks at times, with loads of offloads and linebreaks. This match really gives me hope for the future.

The best players were in my opinion a youngster (Nistor) and a debutant (Shennan) but all the new caps played well and others did great as well, in particular Kinikinilau, Fercu, Burcea, Ionita and even Vlaicu.

The next match will be tricky against Spain in Madrid with their squad full of Frenchmen, we might lose with this unexperienced team. But this is the time for experiments so I hope Lynn Howells will stick to the same attacking gameplan to see if our backs can win games against a much stronger opponent than Portugal.

 

[tommyc121]

super result for romania sounds good game. looking on basis of today six nations itlay were stand out today. i did hear the rfu in england were pushing for relgation but i think your world of rugby dont want to happen which is shame but hope romania will push on with results keep coming top with georgia surley one day they will have no choice.

 

[amz]

normal result, no fuss, the manner based on which it was obtained was nice.

 

[dragos03]

Apparently the Romanian government has approved the construction of a modern dedicated rugby stadium with 8500 seats in Bucharest. The investment is worth 23 million EUR and the entire Arcul de Triumf rugby base will be redeveloped, works might start this year. This is an awesome news for Romanian rugby.

According to Harry Dumitras, several French-based players will join the Oaks squad before the match against Spain.

 

[dragos03]

It seems that Vlad Nistor will move to a Pro D2 club for one season, not sure if this is a transfer or just a loan from Castres. Either way, it's a good move from the player who will get more game time at a pro level.

 

[tommyc121]

do we no any more information what csm bucharest going to do? or the head coach?

 

[amz]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3qtry5_160206-enc1a-romania-portugal-replay_sport
if one want to watch the game here is a link:

About CSM there are no big news. If you ask for Danny De Villiers he's not their head coach anymore, his contract was terminated in December 2015 and it wasn't extended. I think he's back in SA.

 

[dragos03]

Lynn Howells has called 6 additional players for the match against Spain but most of them are even less experienced than the current squad: Mihai Macovei (Colomiers), Otar Turashvili (Colomiers), Silviu Suciu (prop, Baia Mare), Paul Rusu (prop, Baia Mare), scrum half Alexandru Tigla (Poli Iasi) and young centre Ionut Balaban (CSS Barlad).

Suciu has one cap while Rusu, Tigla or Balaban are possible debutants.

It will be a challenge to win in Madrid with such a weak squad, given the large number of French-based players in the Spanish team.

 

[dragos03]

Steaua has signed or is in talks with 9 new players:
- prop Nicolae Nere (CSM Bucuresti)
- Tongan hooker Sakalia Sosefo (ex-Steaua and CSM Bucuresti)
- centre Ionel Cazan (Ex-Steaua and Farul)
- South African flanker Kuselo Moyake (Baia Mare)
- Georgian lock Micheil Archuashvili (Kochebi?)
- Georgian lock Amirani Chiteishvili (Aia Kutaisi?)
- prop Alexandru Gordas (CSM Bucuresti)
- Italian fly half Michele Cerutti (Novara?) - this player is being tested, he might have been sent by Gica Vacaru, the Romanian head coach at Novara
- 18-year old fly half Tudor Boldor (promoted from the junior squads)

Baia Mare have released three foreign players: Kuselo Moyake, Keegan Sefton and Giorgio Philips.
Timisoara Saracens don't plan any big transfers according to a club source but might sign some young South Africans and Pacific Islanders.

 

[Croket66]

Steaua has signed or is in talks with 9 new players:
- prop Nicolae Nere (CSM Bucuresti)
- Tongan hooker Sakalia Sosefo (ex-Steaua and CSM Bucuresti)
- centre Ionel Cazan (Ex-Steaua and Farul)
- South African flanker Kuselo Moyake (Baia Mare)
- Georgian lock Micheil Archuashvili (Kochebi?)
- Georgian lock Amirani Chiteishvili (Aia Kutaisi?)
- prop Alexandru Gordas (CSM Bucuresti)
- Italian fly half Michele Cerutti (Novara?) - this player is being tested, he might have been sent by Gica Vacaru, the Romanian head coach at Novara
- 18-year old fly half Tudor Boldor (promoted from the junior squads)

Baia Mare have released three foreign players: Kuselo Moyake, Keegan Sefton and Giorgio Philips.
Timisoara Saracens don't plan any big transfers according to a club source but might sign some young South Africans and Pacific Islanders.

That's some strong signings
Nere, Sosefo, Cazan, Gordas are alreay known in Super Liga.
Archuashvili is a strong lock who started both games for Tbilisi Caucasians and was named in the team of the georgian championship past two seasons.
I don't know Chiteishvili but is regular starter for Aia Kutaisi

I don't know that Cerutti but Novora plays in the third level of italian rugby so I don't expect to be impressed by him

 

[tommyc121]

good luck to the itlay player. just get bit boring these australians new zealand and tongans south africa to. really in england there stomping it out. which is good.

 

[dragos03]

That's some strong signings
Nere, Sosefo, Cazan, Gordas are alreay known in Super Liga.
Archuashvili is a strong lock who started both games for Tbilisi Caucasians and was named in the team of the georgian championship past two seasons.
I don't know Chiteishvili but is regular starter for Aia Kutaisi

I don't know that Cerutti but Novora plays in the third level of italian rugby so I don't expect to be impressed by him

I agreee, there are several proven players on the list (I'd add Moyake, he's a solid flanker and I was surprised that Baia Mare released him). I'm also surprised that Sosefo couldn't get a contract in a bigger league and is back in Romania, he really is a talented player. Apparently the two locks were reccomended by a former Georgian teammate of the new head coach Cristi Petre, back when they were both playing in France. As for Cerutti, the text mentions he will be tested in the Romanian Cup so I guess the coach doesn't expect him to be very good either but I think every player deserves a chance. There have been players with a worse CV who proved to be good at Superliga level (such as Luke Samoa who was working in a factory and playing for an amateur XII club before signing for Baia Mare).

Some tidbits from a rugby show on Dolce Sport where a FRR official was present:
- the Oaks might tour either the Pacific Island or North America this summer
- he mentioned turmoil in the Georgian union after the election of the new president and said that some of the French-based players have threatened not to come to the national team
- Lynn Howells will again try the backs-powered gameplan against Spain to see if it works against a much stronger opponent (I suspect that's the reason why very weak props were selected)

 

[tommyc121]

wish him good luck. when does romanian cup happen? yes i am suprised baia mare got rid of him he was good flanker for sure. will see who other teams sign. just be nice to see talent romanians coming through ranks. romania will only compete well in world cup if romanians come up to with some foreigners to address some probleams. in france big probleam why france were so awful on saturday not saying down foreigners to many spoils a team. i would hate to see romania go down that route sorry.

 

[dragos03]

Here is the Romanian lineup against Spain, the experiments continue. Again a very weak front row, with the debutant Paul Rusu (probably the 8th option on his position) at tighthead. Vlad Nistor starts again after the good match vs Portugal, while Lucaci is rested. In the backs, Calafeteanu (man of the match vs Portugal) is replaced by the young Bratu and Lemnaru is missing as well. Weak bench with 6 unexperienced players. We might lose the match with this weak squad, Spain has the strongest team in years, with 15 foreigners in their 23 and almost all play in France. But surely the new Oaks will work hard to impress Lynn Howells, it will be an exciting match and a major test for the new tactics experimented by Romania.

1.Constantin Pristavita (Stiinta Baia Mare)
2. Otar Turashvili (Colomiers)
3. Paul Rusu (Stiinta Baia Mare)
4. Johan Van Heerden (Stiinta Baia Mare)
5. Valentin Poparlan (Timisoara Saracens)
6. Vlad Nistor (Castres)
7. Mihai Macovei (C)(Colomiers)
8. Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens)
9. Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo)
10. Florin Vlaicu (Calvisano)
11. Stephen Shennan (Timisoara Saracens)
12. Florin Ionita (CSA Steaua Bucuresti)
13. Paula Kinikinilau (Timisoara Saracens)
14. Adrian Apostol (Stiinta Baia Mare)
15. Catalin Fercu (Saracens)

16. Andrei Radoi (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. Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens), 22. Ovidiu Melniciuc (U Cluj), 23. Sabin Stratila (Steaua )

Spain:
1. Fernando LÓPEZ (Massy), 2. Marco PINTO (Beziers), 3. Jesús MORENO (Provence Rugby), 4. David BARRERA (Vannes), 5. Jesús RECUERDA (c)(Cisneros) , 6. Pierre BARTHERE (Montauban), 7. Gautier GIBOUIN (Montauban), 8. Jaime NAVA (Dijon), 9. Gregory MAIQUEZ (Bourg en Bresse), 10. Dan SNEE (Havelock), 11. Sebastien ASCARAT (Montauban), 12. Mathieu BELIE (Perpignan), 13. Brad LINKLATER (Getxo), 14. Ignacio CONTARDI (Macon), 15. Charlie MALIE (Pau).
Subs: 16. Francisco BLANCO (Cisneros), 17. Juan ANAYA (Galwegians), 18. Jonathan GARCÃA (Bourgoin), 19. Anibal BONÃN (St. Bagnerais), 20. Mathieu ROCA (Rodez), 21. Thibaut ÃLVAREZ (Aubenas), 22. Julen GOIA (Monleonnais), 23. Sergi AUBANELL (Aurillac).

 

[dragos03]

Spain - Romania 18-21

I think this was a very useful match for the experimental Romanian squad, Spain was exactly the strong opponent needed to test these new players. Strong match for Bratu in his first start for the national team, I also liked reserve flanker Andreo Gorcioaia. I also hope that the way the two Spanish tries were scored will finally convince Lynn Howells that Apostol is not good enough for the national team.

The muddy pitch made the gameplan attempted by Lynn Howells impossible and Romania ended playing a forward struggle in a match where most of the best forwards were missing.

Congratulations to Spain, they played hard and tried to win until the very end. Great sportmanship from their fans as well, unlike some of the other home fans in the ENC.

I hope that Howells will continue to experiment in this cycle, results are not really important this year and it will be no problem if we lose a few.

 

[dragos03]

Centre Atila Septar (Brive) has signed with Clermont. He is already a starter for the French U20 national team and it's unlikely that he will ever choose to play for the Oaks since he probably aims for the senior national team of France.

Young flanker Vlad Nistor (Castres espoirs) has offers from Albi and Mont de Marsan.

Poli Iasi is in talks with Moldovan international lock Andrei Mahu (Ex-Timisoara Saracens and Zebre).

 

[tommyc121]

is navodari actually confirm in super liga yet? be intresting if they are. when does kings cup kick off

 

[dragos03]

Nothing is certain but apparently Navodari will not be promoted. Stiinta Petrosani have also announced they can't afford it so apparently the Superliga will have 7 clubs next season. The Romanian Cup is supposed to start on March 12, the exact schedule will be decided later today. It seems that 15 clubs will take part, the 7 from the Superliga and the 8 from the second division (including CS Manastur, promoted from the 3rd division).

The Romanian squad for the match against Russia in Iasi has been announced. It's again an experimental team with 2 new players: Manole and Rotar. Jody Rose is back from South Africa and he was selected as well.

Props
Constantin Pristavita (Stiinta Baia Mare)
Paul Rusu (Stiinta Baia Mare)
Mihai Dico (Stiinta Baia Mare)
Cosmin Manole (Dinamo)
Horatiu Pungea (Oyonnax)

Hookers
Andrei Radoi (Timisoara Saracens)
Otar Turashvili (Colomiers)
Eugen Capatana (Timisoara Saracens)

Locks
Valentin Poparlan (Timisoara Saracens)
Johan Van Heerden (Stiinta Baia Mare)
Marius Antonescu (Tarbes)
Vlad Rotaru (U Cluj)

Flankers
Viorel Lucaci (CSA Steaua Bucuresti)
Vlad Nistor (Castres Olympique)
Andrei Gorcioaia (Valence d’Agen)
Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens)
Mihai Macovei (Colomiers)

Scrum half
Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens)
Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo)
Alexandru Tigla (Poli Iasi)

Fly half
Jody Rose (Timisoara Saracens)
Ovidiu Melniciuc (U Cluj)

Centres
Paula Kinikinilau (Timisoara Saracens)
Florin Ionita (CSA Steaua)
Florin Vlaicu (Calvisano)
Ionut Balaban (CSS Barlad)

Wingers
Adrian Apostol (Stiinta Baia Mare)
Ionut Botezatu (Stiinta Baia Mare)
Madalin Lemnaru (Timisoara Saracens)
Stephen Shennan (Timisoara Saracens)

Fullbacks
Catalin Fercu (Saracens)
Sabin Stratila (CSA Steaua Bucuresti)

 

[dragos03]

CS Navodari has refused promotion, so the Superliga will have 7 clubs next season.

News on the squads of Dinamo and CSM Bucuresti:

Dinamo

Out:
- Tongans Iketau Tevita, Siotame Manu and Alfred Hausia
- lock Florian Rosu (Baia Mare)

In:
- 3 un-named foreign players (2 Tongans and one French)
- scrum-half Eduard Ciaparii (Timisoara)
- prop Samuel Cira (Timisoara)
- prop/hooker Bogdan Neacsu (Timisoara)
- prop Costin Neacsu (Steaua)
- scrum half Valentin Ivan (CSM Bucuresti)
- flanker Laurentiu Melinte (CSM Bucuresti)
- 3 youngsters from RC Grivita

Dinamo has also signed more young players in order to form a team for the national U20 league this season.
They wil play warm-ups against CSM Bucuresti and Steaua.

CSM Bucuresti

Out: too many to mention
In: only youngsters who were in the club's U23 squad last season

The new coaches are Daniel Neaga and Johnny Sola (who will also be the new captain).
CSM will play friendlies against Romania U18, Dinamo and Steaua.

 

[Croket66]

CS Navodari has refused promotion, so the Superliga will have 7 clubs next season.

News on the squads of Dinamo and CSM Bucuresti:

Dinamo

Out:
- Tongans Iketau Tevita, Siotame Manu and Alfred Hausia
- lock Florian Rosu (Baia Mare)

In:
- 3 un-named foreign players (2 Tongans and one French)
- scrum-half Eduard Ciaparii (Timisoara)
- prop Samuel Cira (Timisoara)
- prop/hooker Bogdan Neacsu (Timisoara)
- prop Costin Neacsu (Steaua)
- scrum half Valentin Ivan (CSM Bucuresti)
- flanker Laurentiu Melinte (CSM Bucuresti)
- 3 youngsters from RC Grivita

Dinamo has also signed more young players in order to form a team for the national U20 league this season.
They wil play warm-ups against CSM Bucuresti and Steaua.

CSM Bucuresti

Out: too many to mention

Official :
Badalicescu (L'Aquila), Gordas (Steaua), Nere (Steaua), Tamba (L'Aquila), Vasiliu (Steaua), Ulumbelashvili (Rodez - Fed1)
Sakalia (Steaua), Turashvili (Colomiers - ProD2)
Agiacai (Navodari), Ratiu (Poli Iasi)
Melinte (Dinamo), Carpo (Coventry), Taavili (Ordizia ESP)
Ivan (CSM), Surugiu (Calvisano), Tigla (Poli Iasi)
Ralulu (?), Vlaicu (Calvisano)
Masima (La Voulte-Valence Fed1), Tabu (Vienne Fed1)

Probable : Romanov, Paila, Tuigamala, Suniula, Taljard, Paea, Malupo
Possible : Fahiua, Cobden, Okati, Beca

They should stay at the team (and players from the second team):
Props : Tudor, Iacob, Ailincai, E.Don, Dumitru, Popocivi, Saracila, Savin
Hookers : Beca?, Togia
Locks : Mitroi, Sobota, Popa, Rusu, Soana
Backrow : Ion, Mitu, D.Vasile, R.Vasile, J.Don, Murariu, Tooa, Taufui
Scrumhalves : Fahiua?, Croitoru
Flyhalves : Statulescu, Coman, Lama
Centres : Beldean, Sola, Plopeanu, Prunaru
Wingers : Cobden?, Ispir, Okati?, Dorus, Florentin, Ghiur, F.Ion, Vajea
Fullbacks : T.Conache, Neaga, Vlasceanu



Interesting transfers for Dinamo.
The backrow P.Kata - S.Kata - Holoia stay at the team which is a good news. Apparently Eugen Jantjies also stay at the team?!
Ivan, Bratu, Caplescu, Jantjies that's 4 capped scrumhalves, I think Ivan will move to centre and Jantjies will play flyhalf.
The frenchman is possibly the winger who played for Dinamo at the end of the last season... I can't remember the name but he also played for Stade Français espoirs IIRC