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Romanian Rugby

I heard that Cobden trained with the team but was eventually released because of yet another injury. He's a good player but his carrer was ruined by these problems.
 
In the friendly match against Dinamo, Steaua played without their players at the national team and six Tongans who have not arrived yet.

Steaua 1st half: 15. Ionuț Niacșu, 14. Alexandru Porojan, 13. Vasilicã Pașcu, 12. Andrei Filip, 11. Cãtãlin Neacșu, 10. Filip Lazãr, 9. Grigoraș Diaconescu.
1. Mãdãlin Baraulea (C), 2. Adrian Radu, 3. Costin Neacșu, 4. Gheorghițã Brânzã, 5. Alex Grigore, 6. Cãtãlin Toma, 7. Vlad Tãnase, 8. Sorin Coșereanu.

Second half: 15. Ionuț Niacșu, 14. Alexandru Porojan, 13. Vasilicã Pașcu, 12. Andrei Filip, 11. Ștefan Pãtrașcu, 10. Filip Lazãr, 9. Grigoraș Diaconescu.
1. Cosmin Roșu, 2. Cristian Cornei, 3. Andrei Florescu, 4. Marian Arion, 5. Bogdan Doroftei, 6. Cãtãlin Toma, 7. Vlad Tãnase, 8. Sorin Coșereanu.

Looks like Andrei Filip has signed for Steaua.
 
Moldovan news: tomorrow a new cross-border rugby competition will be announced, named "The Eastern European Rugby League". Three teams from Moldova and three from Odessa (Ukraine) will compete in it.

Colin Osborne, a coach from the staff of Aviva Premiership team Harlequins, will work with Steaua for a week.
 
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Romanian team against Germany:
1. Constantin Pristavita
2. Andrei Radoi
3. Paulica Ion
4. Valentin Popirlan
5. Marius Sirbe
6. Viorel Lucaci
7. Vlad Nistor
8. Stelian Burcea
9. Florin Surugiu
10. Danut Dumbrava
11. Ionut Botezatu
12. Florin Vlaicu
13. Csaba Gal
14. Adrian Apostol
15. Sabin Stratila

Reserves: 16. Otar Turashvili, 17. Mihai Dico, 18. Alexandru Tarus, 19. Marius Antonescu, 20. Daniel Ianus, 21. Valentin Calafeteanu, 22. Robert Dascalu, 23. Dorin Manole.

Again several key players are missing. 19-year old Sabin Stratila will start his first match for the Oaks at fullback while reserve prop Mihai Dico could also earn his first cap.
 
Apparently, Farul Constanta will withdraw from the Superliga this season due to financial troubles (caused by a corruption investigation at the local county council that has cut financing to all local sports). They claim they need around EUR 1 million to compete but have less than half of this amount at the moment. Farul considers playing in the second division with a young squad for one season and returning to the Superliga next year. The final decision of the club will be announced these days.

This would be a really bad news for the Romanian league, one of the strong clubs would be gone and just six clubs would compete this season :(
 
Apparently, Farul Constanta will withdraw from the Superliga this season due to financial troubles (caused by a corruption investigation at the local county council that has cut financing to all local sports). They claim they need around EUR 1 million to compete but have less than half of this amount at the moment. Farul considers playing in the second division with a young squad for one season and returning to the Superliga next year. The final decision of the club will be announced these days.

This would be a really bad news for the Romanian league, one of the strong clubs would be gone and just six clubs would compete this season :(

What a sad news for Romanian rugby. If true, I hope all best players will find a new contract for the others Super Liga teams...
 
Apparently the players were told today that the club will not withdraw from the league. Of course, that means nothing until an official announcement is made.

In other news, CSM Bucuresti will travel all the way to Baia Mare to play a test against the champions on Monday, while Timisoara Saracens faces U Cluj tomorrow. Steaua will play against Dinamo again on Monday. In the Bucovina Cup, CSM Suceava vs Poli Iasi 0-22. Besides Suceava and Iasi, CS Manastur (third division) also plays in this friendly competition. RCM Galati (second division) has signed 8 Moldovan players, some of them are internationals.

Five Tongans have arrived at Steaua, the first three have also played for them last season:
- Dennis Hanna Naitoko (prop)
- Tupou Vahekeheke Ahomee (flanker)
- Alovili Ahofono (scrum half)
- Alex Moa Nicholas (found nothing about this one)
- Manu Vaihanuma Ki Vutala (lock, capped by Tonga A and Tonga U23)
 
Germany - Romania 12-17

A shameful performance, Romania was almost beaten by amateurs. Something went very wrong in the last two matches, hopefully it's just the lack of focus due to the low importance of these games. Surprisingly, Georgia also didn't manage to get a bonus point win against Russia so the Oaks would win the trophy with a victory at any score in Bucharest next week, but that seems very unlikely with our current form.

Edit: Saracens Timisoara - U Cluj 38-21 in a friendly match played today (there were 3 tests of 30 minutes each). Tries were scored by Morrisson (2), Tangimana Fonovai, Capatana, Moala and Avramovici for the hosts, Van Wyk, Paraschiv and a penalty try for Cluj.

Three players on trial at Timisoara:
- scrum half Eduard Ciaparii (U Cluj)
- fly half Hayden O'Donnell - seems to have been playing both rugby league (South Sydney Rabbitohs U20) and union (Christchurch)
- 19-year old Serbian prospect Dimitri Avramovici (?)

The Georgian at Cluj is indeed hooker Levan Genebashvili, ex-Locomotive Tbilisi and Georgia U19.
 
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It seems Baia Mare signed fijian fullback Ratu Taniela Rawaqa Maravunawasawasa, known as Taniela Rawaqa
17 caps for Fiji, he played for Agen, Grenoble (both ProD2), Navy (Sri Lanka) and more recently for Parramatta (Shute Shield)
He is also a good goalkicker, and scored 103 pts for Fiji
And Luke Samoa stay at Baia Mare


In preseason game : CSM Baia Mare 14-19 CSM Bucharest
Baia Mare :
1-Dico 2-Rusu 3-Pastrama 4-P.Ailenei 5-Van Heerden 6-Morrell 7-Buzatu 8-Ene
9-Genia 10-Oprea 11-Shefton 12-Dinis-Vartic 13-Leiataua 14-Phillips 15-Bucur
remplacants : Stan, Suciu, Pocriș, Hristache, Stoica, Samkharadze, Fakaosilea, Rawaqa, Cubaș, Pălii, Dănilă, Moyake, Răzvan Ailenei, Nau, Cătună, Pop, Samoa, Mureșan

CSM Bucharest :
1-Vasiliu 2-Beca 3-Nichita 4-Ratiu 5-Mitroi 6-Paila 7-Ion 8-Taavili
9-Ivan 10-Conache 11-Cobden 12-Suniula 13-Paea 14-Beldean 15-Malupo
remplaçants : Ulumbelashvili, Sakalia, Gordaș, Dragoș Vasile, Melinte, Mitu, Țiglă, Ispir, Stătulescu, Neaga, Tudor

For Baia Mare : tries Lieataua, Rawaqa, conversions Phillips, Samoa
For Bucharest : tries Ispir, Beldean (2), conversions Malupo (2)
 
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Impressive win, the first ever for CSM against Baia Mare. Baia Mare hasn't lost at home in years. They played without their coach though, who is with the national team. In another match, Steaua - Dinamo 17-22. Dinamo's tries were scored by Paula Kata (2), Holoia and Merca. Looks like the two best Tongans from last season are still in the squad.

In Moldovan news, they claim they were robbed again by the referees in their defeat in Belgium, with valid tries not given and other blatant mistakes. Some of the players think Moldova is being denied promotion to ENC 1A, in favour of more wealthy nations.
 
Farul Constanta will not withdraw from the Superliga but they will have a weakened squad this season. They have lost three of their best prospects: Kamil Sobota (CSM Bucuresti), Petre Neacsu (signed to a Bucharest team) and Vali Mototolea (also about to sign for another club but might eventually return to Farul). Also, most of the foreign players have refused the lower contracts offered by the club. Farul plans to aim for the playoffs with the current squad and to strengthen it in the summer transfer window, when they will have extra funds available. Their pre-season has also been compromised by the financial issues, as all the scheduled tests were cancelled and some players have not trained much. Cristi Petre will remain the head coach.

The list of CSM Bucharest players published in a magazine includes two more Tongans:
- scrum half (or fly half) Siale Fahiua (2 caps)
- centre/wing Atelea Okati (seems to have played for Penrith and Tonga 7s)

The list includes a total of 22 Romanian players and 17 foreigners, with several very good options on very position, I expect them to be very strong this season. CSM also has signed some very talented young Romanian players who will form a second team to compete in the second division and develop them for the future.
 
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Farul Constanta will not withdraw from the Superliga but they will have a weakened squad this season. They have lost three of their best prospects: Kamil Sobota (CSM Bucuresti), Petre Neacsu (signed to a Bucharest team) and Vali Mototolea (also about to sign for another club but might eventually return to Farul). Also, most of the foreign players have refused the lower contracts offered by the club. Farul plans to aim for the playoffs with the current squad and to strengthen it in the summer transfer window, when they will have extra funds available. Their pre-season has also been compromised by the financial issues, as all the scheduled tests were cancelled and some players have not trained much. Cristi Petre will remain the head coach.

The list of CSM Bucharest players published in a magazine includes two more Tongans:
- scrum half (or fly half) Siale Fahiua (2 caps)
- centre/wing Atelea Okati (seems to have played for Penrith and Tonga 7s)

The list includes a total of 22 Romanian players and 17 foreigners, with several very good options on very position, I expect them to be very strong this season. CSM also has signed some very talented young Romanian players who will form a second team to compete in the second division and develop them for the future.

Great to see Farul will not withdraw. It will be a hard season for the team but even if most of their foreigner leaves, there are some very good romanians in the squad (the front row, Vlaicu, Ilie, Stratila, Apostol, Cazan, Neagu...).

Wow 17 foreigners at CSM?! The rules are the same ? (10 foreigners max per game, no more than 8 starters)
Surugiu, Ivan, Fahiua, Tuigamala, Tigla, that's five scrum halves, including 4 experienced players ! I think Fahiua will play fly half or full back, Ivan can cover centre IIRC
I also read Jeff Taljard finally stays at CSM, Sobota is not listed

edit : I read Belguidoum came to Cluj for his studies (medical). He is capped by France U18 and France U19
 
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17 foreigners is excessive but Romanov probably has Romanian citizenship and Sola is eligible to play for Romania (eligible foreigners don't count towards the limit even if they aren't selected) so they remain with 15. Some of them will be injured or called by their national teams (Ralulu, Suniula, Romanov). Ivan can also play centre or fullback btw.

Young winger Alex Porojan scored all three tries for Steaua is their latest friendly, looks like a good prospect for them.

As for Belguidoum, if he can become a doctor while keep playing rugby, even if at a lower level than the Pro D2, it's a win-win situation for him :)
 
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Some pics from a promo event for the RWC in Bucharest, featuring the trophy, Ronan O'Gara and former Romanian olympic gymnast Andreea Raducan:

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10408837_873992715990669_1021466789873514601_n.jpg


11073129_873992789323995_951503605381273172_n.jpg
 
In Romania, rugby plays you...haha, just kidding, I know Romanian is Latin not Slavic, I just felt like saying it. I would like to see Romania play in the 6 (7) nations one day, does anyone think there is a chance of this happening? Aren't a lot of your players going to France? Shouldn't this help, at least in terms of getting a decent first XV together?
 
The chance of Romania playing in the Six Nations is very slim because they want to keep it closed. Romania is not that weak but doesn't get any opportunity to develop further. I'm sure that one day the Six Nations will become an open tournament and rugby will finally grow to be a global sport without the current "caste" system but it won't happen soon.

Romania's team for the decisive match against Georgia was not announced but several key players are missing from the extended squad. The most important is fullback Catalin Fercu (Saracens), probably our best player. If Fercu plays for the Saracens this weekend in the LV Cup, I think the FRR should do something about it. Other important absents are wingers Ionut Dumitru and Madalin Lemnaru.

The press conference before the new season of the Superliga was held today in Bucharest. The good news is that Farul Constanta will certainly play in the competition.

DSC_5479.jpg

The Superliga trophy and the team captains. From left to right: Otar Turashvili (Farul Constanta), Valentin Rosu (U Cluj), Ionut Botezatu (Baia Mare), Adrian Ion (CSM Bucuresti), Flavius Dobre (Dinamo), Viorel Lucaci (Steaua) and Stelian Burcea (Saracens Timisoara).

The new season starts on March 28.
 
Romanian squad :

Props:
Alexandru Tarus (RCM Timisoara) – 6 caps, debut: 2013-Romania-Argentina Jaguars, IRB Nations Cup
Paulica Ion (Perpignan)- 69 caps, debut: 2003-Romania-Argentia, Cupa Mondiala
Mihaita Lazar (Castres) -42 caps, debut: 2008-Romania-Cehia, CEN
Horatiu Pungea (Lyon)-24 caps, debut: 2012-Romania-Japonia, Partida test
Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne) -18 caps, debut: 2012-Romania-Portugalia, CEN
Hookers:
Andrei Radoi (Ealing Traifinders)-41 caps, debut: 2008-Romania-Cehia, CEN
Otar Turashvili (Farul Constanta)-17 caps, debut: 2012-Romania-Uruguay, IRB Nations Cup
Locks:
Marius Antonescu (Tarbes)- 5 caps, debut: 2014-Romania-Emerging Ireland, IRB Nations Cup
Alin Coste (Carcassonne)-30 caps,debut: 2007-Portugalia-Romania, CEN
Valentin Poparlan (RCM Timisoara)- 44 caps, debut: 2007-Romania-Namibia, IRB Nations Cup
Marius Sirbe (Blagnac)- 37 caps, debut: 2008-Romania-Cehia, CEN
Backrow:
Stelian Burcea (RCM Timisoara)- 48 caps, debut: 2006-Romania-Franta, Partida test
Viorel Lucaci (Steaua Bucuresti)- 37 caps, debut: 2009-Romania-Fiji, Partida test
Mihai Macovei (Massy)- 59 caps, debut: 2006-Romania-Ucraina, CEN
Vlad Nistor (Castres)- 11 caps, debut: 2013-Romania-Rusia, IRB Nations Cup
Valentin Ursache (Oyonnax)- 58 caps, debut: 2004-Romania-Italia, Partida test
Scrumhalves:
Vali Calafeteanu (RCM Timisoara)- 69 caps, debut: 2004-Romania-Japonia, Partida test
Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti)- 46 caps,debut: 2008: Romania-Uruguay, IRB Nations Cup
Flyhalves:
Danut Dumbrava (Steaua Bucuresti)- 67 caps, debut: 2002-Tara Galilor-Romania, Partida test
Centres:
Robert Dascalu (Steaua Bucuresti)- 49 caps, debut: 2006-Ucraina-Romania,CEN
Csaba Gal (Universitatea Cluj)- 79 caps, debut: 2005-Irlanda-Romania,Partida test
Florin Ionita (Steaua Bucuresti)- 15 caps, debut: 2013-Romania-Rusia, IRB Nations Cup
Florin Vlaicu (Farul Constanta)- 77 caps, debut: 2006-Ucraina-Romania,CEN
Wingers:
Adrian Apostol (Farul Constanta)- 15 caps, debut: 2011-Romania-Namibia, IRB Nations Cup
Ionut Botezatu (Stiinta Baia Mare)- 23 caps, debut: 2009-Germania-Romania, CEN
Robert Neagu (Farul Constanta)-1 cap, debut 2014-Romania-USA, Partida test
Fullbacks :
Dorin Manole (Orthez)- 24 caps, debut: 2009-Germania-Romania, CEN
Sabin Stratila (Farul Constanta)- 1 cap,debut: 2015-Germania-Romania, REC
 
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The Romanian squad for tomorrow's match against Georgia has not been announced yet, which is very unusual.

According to an unofficial source, this will be the lineup:
1. Alexandru Ţăruş (Timisoara Saracens)
2. Otar Turashvili (Farul Constanta)
3. Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne)
4. Alin Coste (Carcassonne)
5. Marius Sîrbe (Blagnac)
6. Viorel Lucaci (Steaua)
7. Valentin Ursache (Oyonnax)
8. Mihai Macovei (c) (Massy)
9. Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens)
10. Dănuţ Dumbravă (Steaua)
11. Dorin Manole (Orthez)
12. Csaba Gal (U Cluj)
13. Cătălin Dascălu (Steaua)
14. Adrian Apostol (Farul Constanta)
15. Ionuţ Botezatu (Baia Mare)

16. Andrei Rădoi (Ealing)
17. Mihaiţă Lazăr (Castres)
18. Horaţiu Pungea (Lyon)
19. Valentin Popârlan (Timisoara Saracens)
20. Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens)
21. Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti)
22. Florin Ioniţă (Steaua)
23. Sabin Strătilă (Farul Constanta)

If this lineup is real, Romania will start the match without the best player (Fercu), the top scorer (Vlaicu), the best wingers and with the 3rd/4th choice pair of props. It will be very hard to win against a full-strength Georgian team.

Fercu was not released by the Saracens, who apparently need him on the bench for the LV Cup final :(

It's interesting that the captains of both teams are backrow partners at the small French club Massy. Also, Georgian ethnic Turashvili will play for the first time against his home country.
 
Impressive win, the first ever for CSM against Baia Mare. Baia Mare hasn't lost at home in years. They played without their coach though, who is with the national team. In another match, Steaua - Dinamo 17-22. Dinamo's tries were scored by Paula Kata (2), Holoia and Merca. Looks like the two best Tongans from last season are still in the squad.

In Moldovan news, they claim they were robbed again by the referees in their defeat in Belgium, with valid tries not given and other blatant mistakes. Some of the players think Moldova is being denied promotion to ENC 1A, in favour of more wealthy nations.

Do have a link on this Moldovan news? I wouldnt be surprised if it is true though. FIRA isnt exactly very wealthy as it is. I am one of those who would love to see Moldova in the ENC 1A. There is much more potential with them then Belgium. I mean look at how many professional players Moldova has produced, and consider the fact that they have done so in Europes poorest nation with only 4 domestic clubs!
Just a small boots would produce a potential rugby powerhouse!
 

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