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Romania carrying on the tradition

Romania has played in each Rugby World Cup since 1987 and has recently qualified for the tournament in 2007 where the Romanian XV will have the privilege of playing against New Zealand and Italy in pool C.

Like the oak tree - from which the Carpathians take their nickname - that stands the test of time, the Rugby World Cups take place and Romania is ever present. Romania is yet to give a dazzling performance with only four victories (Zimbabwe, Fiji, USA and Namibia) and a few bitter defeats against the big names in the last five tournaments. However, despite Romania’s lack of means, the nation’s Rugby Team continues to get itself invited to the greatest Rugby meeting of all.

During the 70s and 80s the Romanian XV was a tough opponent for the great Rugby playing nations until the economic and political crisis plunged Romania into decline. There is a strong Rugby playing culture in Romania based around forwards play and the fact that several players are learning new skills abroad, in France in particular. Over the past few years the Team has been able to make some progress beating Italy in 2004 and Canada in 2005. Romania is still the best non-Six Nations Rugby playing nation in Europe resisting the growing competition from Georgia, Russia, Spain and Portugal. For the players sporting the oak leaf on their shirt, their meeting with the All Blacks on September 29 2007 in Toulouse will be their just reward.

Colours:

Yellow shirt, blue shorts, yellow socks
Emblem:

Oak leaf
National anthem:

Deºteaptã-te, române! (Wake up, Romanian!)
IRB world ranking (2006/10):

15th
Rugby World Cup record:

Eliminated in the pool phase in 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003

16 matches played, 4 wins, 12 defeats

221 points scored, 609 points conceded
Head coach:

Daniel Santamans and Robert Antonin
Squad Member List:

Forwards: Petru Balan, Bogdan Balan, Cezar Popescu, Petrisor Toderasc, Ion Paulica, Marius Tincu, Razvan Mavrodin, Sorin Socul, Cristian Petre, Valentin Ursache, Augustin Petrichei, Ovidiu Tonita, Costica Mersoiu, Florin Corodeanu, Alexandru Manta, Alexandru Tudori.

 

Backs: Valentin Calafateanu, Lucian Sirbu, Ionut Dimofte, Ionut Tofan, Romeo Gontineac, Csaba Gal, Catalin Dascalu, Dan Vlad, Catalin Fercu, Ion Teodorescu, Gabriel Brezoianu, Iulian Dumitras, Florian Vlaicu, Catalin Nicolae.
 
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