2023-08-28 00:44:03
The draw reserved heavy, very heavy for the XV of Romania. Faced with Scotland, Ireland and South Africa, the Romanians are condemned to the exploit if they want to hope for anything other than a rout. But the most probable hypothesis remains an elimination in the first round without the slightest victory. Because Tonga is also probably too big a piece for Eugen Apjok’s players.
The story
The Romanians conceded the fastest try in World Cup history. In 2002, in Brisbane, the three-quarter Australian center Elton Flatley flattened the ball in the Romanian in-goal after only 18 seconds of play. This test was the first of a long series since the Australians planted twelve others, for set the final score at 90-8.
Romania team form
Second in the qualifying phase of the Europe zone behind the untouchable Georgia and ahead of Portugal, Romania has known for a few months that it will participate in its 10th World Cup in eleven editions. But the form is not there yet. Beaten by Georgia, Portugal, Samoa or even Uruguay this year, the Romanians are not reassured and will not arrive in France in the best of moods. Despite the presence of many players playing in France, especially in Pro D2 and National, the Romanian XV is not flamboyant.
He also lost to the United States, Georgia and Italy during this preparation, with two slaps in the key (56-6 against Georgia, 57-7 against Italy). The Romanians will not have excessive ambitions anyway since they have never won more than one victory in a World Cup. Given the adversity this year, the goal will no doubt be similar.
Romania match schedule
The list of 33
Pillars: Costel Burțila, Thomas Crețu, Gheorghe Gajion, Alexandru Gordaş, Iulian Hartig, Alexandru Savin.
Talonneurs: Florin Bárdașu, Ovidiu Cojocaru, Robert Irimescu.
Deuxième ligne : Ștefan Iancu, Marius Iftimiciuc, Adrian Motoc.
Troisième ligne: Cristi Boboc, Cristi Chirica (cap.), Mihai Macovei, Vlad Neculau, Florian Roșu, Dragoș Ser, Damian Strătilă.
Dismissed from the match: Alin Conache, Gabriel Rupanu, Florin Surugiu.
Demis d’overture: Tudor Boldor, Mihai Muresan, Gabriel Pop.
Centres: Taylor Gontineac, Tevita Manumua, Jason Tomane.
Arrières/ailiers : Tangimana Fonovai, Nicolas Onuțu, Paul Popoaia, Marius Simionescu, Hinckley Vaovasa.
Player to watch: Taylor Gontineac
Rugby fans will not be surprised to discover the presence of a Gontineac in the Romanian group. But it is obviously not about the emblematic Romeo (49 years old), who hung up his crampons after a rich international career (76 selections between 1995 and 2008). But the former captain of the Romanian selection, well known in Grenoble, Pau and Aurillac, gave birth in 2000 to a certain Taylor Gontineac when he was playing in Cantal. Good blood cannot lie, the son, endowed with a solid size (1.85 m, 95 kg), also evolves in the center and, after having started in Aurillac then passed through Clermont, he now wears the colors of Rouen in Pro D2.
#Rugby #World #Cup #Romania #matches #team #player #watch