| No. | Name | |
|---|---|---|
15Catalin Fercu, FB | ||
14Madalin Lemnaru, W | ||
13Paula Kinikinilau, C | ||
12Florin Vlaicu, C 2 | ||
11Ionut Botezatu, W | ||
10Mike Wiringi, FH | ||
9Florin Surugiu, SH | ||
1Mihaita Lazar, P | ||
2Otar Turashvili, H | ||
3Paulica Ion, P | ||
4Valentin Poparlan, L | ||
5Johan van Heerden, L | ||
6Valentin Ursache, FL | ||
7Viorel Lucaci, FL | ||
8Mihai Macovei, N8 2 | ||
| Replacements | ||
16Andrei Radoi, R | ||
17Andrei Ursache, R | ||
18Alexandru Tarus, R | ||
19Daniel Carpo, R | ||
20Stelian Burcea, R | ||
21Valentin Calafeteanu, R | ||
22Adrian Apostol, R | ||
23Csaba Gal, R | ||
ROM
CAN*Players currently on the pitch are shown in bold
Match Commentary
ESPN's Martyn Thomas (@MCThomasSport) had this to say:
"When Jeff Hassler stormed over at the beginning of the second half few would have predicted the finish we would have in Leicester. A successful conversion from Nathan Hirayama extended Canada's lead to 15 points, but it was the missed kicks that would ultimately prove costly to Kieran Crowley's side's hopes. At the final whistle they would have squandered five more points than their opponents from the tee, 11 in all. When digesting a two-point defeat those numbers will loom large. But credit must go to Romania, they put in a herculean effort in defence that kept them in the game and rallied in the second half to score two contrasting tries - both from captain Mihai Macovei. It was only right that the game would be settled by a penalty kick, with Floein Vlaicu holding his nerve to send their fans ballistic in the stands."
Yet another scrum penalty for Romania. The men in white simply overpowered Canada in the scrum - arguably down to the extra man due to Sinclair's sin binning. However, the kick's still 45 metres out and based on what we've seen so far, nothing is guaranteed...
Despite Romania needing the TMO to check a double movement, they've been awarded the try. The scrum which resulted from Sinclair's sin binning has paid dividends and they're back in it. Nice pick up from Macovei who bundles it over. Canada just couldn't withhold Romania's No.8. Sheer strength guided him over the line, a huge leap was required for his second movement to plant it down.
Sinclair's been penalised for coming in at the side. Romania had the lineout and implemented their most useful tactic so far - the driving maul - but Canada's No.6 came in at the side. He's off. Romania looked on the edge of another try there, and now their opponents will play the remainder with a man down.
Carpenter penalised for not moving away and Romania have the penalty just metres off the try line. What will they opt for - lineout or the scrum?
They've gone for lineout.
There we go. Great stuff. Romania get it right on the set piece. The penalty was kicked for the lineout, which then evolved into the rolling maul. They brought across their scrum strength into the maul and drove to the line. Dynamic, accurate and all round much better play from the men in white. Romania should have a lot more confidence and we could be in for a tasty end to the game.
A succession of short but nifty offloads from nearly every Romanian player has seen them work the ball from the right touch line to the left touch line in about 30 seconds. The fluency displayed just their between the forwards and backs hint that there is actually more to this side than the big scrum. Try is still a long way off though, but they've got from their try line to the half way with relative ease. Romania also have the penalty after a deliberate Canadian knock on spoiled their hard work.
Sheer brute force and skill from Hassler there. Hirayama's little run proved vital but Hassler barged off FIVE tacklers to secure the try. Great individual effort from the winger. Romania bounced off him like he was a trampoline.
ESPN's Martyn Thomas (@MCSportThomas) had this to say:
"Remarkably, given the conditions in Leicester, both teams have treated a healthy crowd to some running rugby. Indeed, Canada have even given their countrymen, the majority in attendance, a try to savour as they built an eight-point lead. As the rain came down more heavily halfway through the first 40 minutes, the Canucks briefly changed their approach. However, without a reliable kicker that always looked a foolhardy decision and indeed Gordon McRorie has been wasteful from the tee -- DTH van der Merwe again proving to be Canada's biggest danger, grabbing five points in the process. For their part, Romania have tried to take the game to their opponents -- and kept them scoreless while a man down -- but have been undone by individual errors."
Wow. Fercu's gone to the bin. Blevins landed on his back from a high jump to collect the ball under pressure from the Romanian fullback and the ref has penalised for dangerous play. Blevins awkward landing made it look worse than it probably was I'd say.
They kick for the lineup and move the ball along the line. Canada's passing is nice on the eye, but they just can't find that line break. Romania on the back foot, but not significantly. Get the feeling momentum could switch at any moment.
And the Europeans haven't taken long to impose themselves, forcing the first lineout of the game along their right flank....which then leads to the first scrum of the afternoon after a Romanian knock on, the wet weather possibly playing a part.
Follow our man on the ground, Martyn Thomas (@MCThomasSport), who'll be providing us with his first hand insights straight from Leicester.
You can read the preview for the game HERE.
Canada XV: Jones, Hassler, Hearn, Blevins, Van Der Merwe, Hirayama, McRorie; Buydens, Barkwill, Wooldridge, Beukeboom, Cudmore (captain), Sinclair, Moonlight, Carpenter.
Romania XV: Fercu, Lemnaru, Kinikinilau, Vlaicu, Botezatu, Wiringi, Surugiu; Lazar, Turashvili, Ion, Poparlan, van Heerden, Ursache, Lucaci, Macovei (captain).
Also see…
- England's XV to face Uruguay
- Our preview for Fiji vs. Uruguay on later today
- How Canada got on against France