Romanian Rugby

[dragos03]

The Oaks final squad was presented to the press in an event at the CEC Palace in Bucharest. Good to see Van Heerden there, after the tragic event in his family.

 

[Croket66]

 

[dragos03]

Pretty strong squads named by both Romania and Tonga, it should be a good match. Interesting to see Kinikinilau playing for the first time for Romania against his home country, he will also play against his cousin, winger William Helu (who has also played for a Romanian club in 2012).

Here's the Tongan match squad:
1 Soane Tonga’uiha - Vaini (Tt) & Houma (Tt) - Oyonnax
2 Elvis Taione - Kolomotu’a(Tt) & Ha’akio(Vv) - Exeter Chiefs
3 Halani Aulika - ‘Ohonua (‘Eua) & Faleloa (Hp) - London Irish
4 Tukulua Lokotui - Ha’ateiho(Tt) & Mo’unga’one(Hp) - Beziers
5 Joe Tuineau - Fasi Moe Afi ‘A Tungi (Tt) - Dax
6 Steve Mafi - Ahau (Tt) & Kolovai (Tt) - Western Force
7 Nili Latu - Afa, ‘Eueiki, Ha’alalo, Pea (Tt) - Newcastle Falcons
8 Sione Kalamafoni -Matahau, Te’ekiu (Tt) & ‘Otea (Vv) -Gloucester
9 Sonatane Takulua - Lapaha (Tt) - Newcastle Falcons
10 Kurt Morath - Leimatu’a & Falevai (Vv) - Biarritz
11 Fetu’u Vainikolo - Ha’alalo (Tt) - Oyonnax
12 Siale Piutau - Kolofo’ou & Folaha (Tt) - Yamaha
13 Will Helu - Fasi, Pahu (Tt) & Foa (Hp) - Edinburgh
14 David Halaifonua - Tukulalo, Houma (Vv) & Fatumu (Tt) - Gloucester
15 Telusa Veainu - Matahau (Tt) & Longolongo (Tt) -Melbourne Rebels
16 Paula Ngauamo - Vaini, Kolomotu’a, Fasi & Kolofo’ou (Tt) - Mont de Marsan
17 Sona Taumalolo - Ha’akame (Tt) - Grenoble
18 Sila Puafisi - Ha’ateiho (Tt) & Longomapu (Vv) - Gloucester
19 Hale T Pole - Muitoa (Hp) & Fua’amotu (Tt) - Otago
20 Viliami Ma’afu - Kolovai (Tt) - Oyonnax
21 Sosefo Ma’ake - Feletoa (Vv) & Haveluloto (Tt) - Havelu Bulldogs
22 Latiume Fosita - Haveluloto (Tt) & Felemea (Hp) - Doncaster
23 Vungakoto Lilo - Koula (Hp) & Foa (Hp) - Montauban

All Tongan players from Romanian clubs have been invited to dinner by their national team, some of them have also trained with the squad during the week.

 

[dragos03]

Romania - Tonga 16-21

Not a bad match for Romania, the Oaks defended well but wasted two big chances to score tries. The biggest problem were the lineouts, I don't think Romania won any until Radoi came on the pitch near the end of the match. It was a very physical game, hopefully there were no injuries.

The Oaks were supported in this match by the football legend Gheorghe Hagi

 

[psychic duck]

Romania - Tonga 16-21

Not a bad match for Romania, the Oaks defended well but wasted two big chances to score tries. The biggest problem were the lineouts, I don't think Romania won any until Radoi came on the pitch near the end of the match. It was a very physical game, hopefully there were no injuries.

The Oaks were supported in this match by the football legend Gheorghe Hagi

Biggest problem was Tonga getting tries with half their body in touch with no TMO.

 

[amz]

Biggest problem was Tonga getting tries with half their body in touch with no TMO.

I thought Tongan player was in touch but I was on the other side of the pitch so I couldn"t tell for sure and did not watched the replay yet. Strange decision...and I had the feeling it was a game we should have won. Some dodgy handling in first half but it went better in second half.

 

[psychic duck]

I thought Tongan player was in touch but I was on the other side of the pitch so I couldn"t tell for sure and did not watched the replay yet. Strange decision...and I had the feeling it was a game we should have won. Some dodgy handling in first half but it went better in second half.

I saw the replay. There's a reason the Romanian players were so annoyed. He was in touch. Romania actually fought hard and tackled bravely and unlucky not to win.

 

[dragos03]

I also suspected the Tongan player who scored their second try was in touch but could not be sure, I was quite far away. It wasn't the only referee mistake in the match either. Honestly, even without a TMO (no idea why there wasn't one), the replays were shown on a big screen in the stadium and the ref could watch them himself.

Anyway, a win would have been nice but it was an useful test even if we lost.

 

[dragos03]

Romania vs Tonga 16-21 highlights:


Indeed, pretty shocking referee mistake at the second Tongan try, the player was well in touch (it's obvious even without a proper replay in the highlights).

 

[psychic duck]

Is the full match available anywhere? There was a front on angle not shown on those highlights that showed they clearly had their legs in touch.

 

[dragos03]

The full match is available here:
http://www.tvrplus.ro/editie-rugby-366158

Watching it might require an addon that hides the IP, like Hola Unblocker.

In other news, Van Heerden is not seriously injured and will be available for the RWC.

Edit: Lynn Howells also mentions that the Tongan try wasn't valid in an interview on frr.ro

 

[beerholder]

Is the full match available anywhere? There was a front on angle not shown on those highlights that showed they clearly had their legs in touch.

I was sitting on that side at the 22 line, I saw him well in field at the point of the dive. The TV perspective isn't good, but you can see he hits the corner flag with his hip only after he puts the ball down. It was a valid try.

 

[psychic duck]

I was sitting on that side at the 22 line, I saw him well in field at the point of the dive. The TV perspective isn't good, but you can see he hits the corner flag with his hip only after he puts the ball down. It was a valid try.

It's not a valid try when your legs are in touch. This angle was the one I was looking for. His legs are in touch by some margin as well. Touch judge made a blunder.

 

[beerholder]

Yeah, on this angle it looks that his legs are in touch. I couldn't see this from my seat near the 22 line and probably the big lock behind obstructed the line judge as well.

 

[dragos03]

Timisoara Saracens - Baia Mare 24-22
Timisoara wins the first edition of the King's Cup after a dramatic final, decided by a drop goal in extra time. The tries were scored by Ianus (2), Conache and Luke Samoa. From next season, the King's Cup will become a development competition for U23 teams.

In the small final, CSM Bucuresti - U Cluj 31-13

 

[dragos03]

Some transfer news:
- number 8 Daniel Carpo will join Coventry RFC after the World Cup. His wife has been working in the UK for many years so probably the player wanted to join her.
- Timisoara Saracens have signed young Tongan centre Tevita Manumua. He has been capped by Tonga 7s and came through the Saracens Global Network. He was on trial at Saracens London and has played a few matches for their reserve team Saracens Storm. I guess they sent him to Timisoara to get some game time and develop his skills.

 

[tommyc121]

just want to say good luck to romania big world cup ahead for them. i will be there watching them play against france as well if anyone is going to game be good to meet up.

 

[nomadenhaft]

I'm curious about the makeup and personality of the Oaks squad, so here's some random questions for anyone who cares to chime in:

-Is there a clear-cut starter at scrum-half? Surugiu and Calafeteanu seem to pretty even.

-What is the general outlook on Mihai Macovei as a player and leader? Is he likely to get respect from the Tier 1 refs? I haven't been able to get a read on his personality from the videos I can find, what with my knowledge of Romanian being nil. But as far as rugby skippers go, he certainly looks the part.

-Speaking only in terms of the scrum, is there one particular front-rower that the Oaks could least afford to lose to injury? Or is there really just a conveyor belt of talent on the bench?

 

[dragos03]

Gonna try to answer:

- no clear starter. In my opinion Surugiu is the best option by far, he's a player with vision who speeds up the game. He's also a good defender able to tackle opponents twice his size. Howells seems to favour Calafeteanu though, for his tactical kicking.

- I doubt any Romanian player will get respect from the Tier 1 refs. I like Macovei, he is accepted by the others for his determination. He's very respectful when talking to refs, maybe too respectful. In the last test (vs Tonga), he was unable to persuade the French ref to reconsider a very obvious mistake that led to the second Tongan try.

- Lazar is the most talented Romanian prop. The other front rowers are quite equal. There has always been a difficult choice at hooker between Turashvili (strong in scrums, good ball carrier, bad lineout throw) and Radoi (good throw but weaker in the loose).

 

[nomadenhaft]

Interesting stuff, thanks dragos.

Will be curious to watch the performance of the scrum-halves; from what I can see the Oaks lean on their 9 to be more like a fly-half.