Rugby World Cup 2023 is rapidly approaching, with less than a week until the opening game. Rugby.com.au examines every team's chances in France, looking at Romania.
Romania returns to the World Cup in a brutal Pool B.
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After missing 2019 due to points deductions for illegal players, they ironically were the benefactors of the same rule when Spain were once again deducted points, qualifying for their ninth World Cup.
They will be looking to make up for lost time at this World Cup as they hunt for just their seventh win in the tournament.
Head coach Eugen Apjok has picked a squad filled with talent from the French leagues, with number eight Christi Chirica stepping up as captain
Qualified as Europe 2 (following Spain’s points deduction)
Romania have struggled to build consistent form in the lead-up to the World Cup.
They finished the year with a win over Chile before falling to Uruguay and Samoa.
The Romanians showed promise to start the year, finishing third at the Rugby Europe Championships, including a win over Spain
However, the struggles continued into 2023 with a 31-17 defeat to USA, who missed qualification and a 56-6 loss to Georgia to go with a 57-7 defeat to Italy
Romania coach Eugen Apjok on Wednesday selected nine players based in France including Stade Francais prop Thomas Cretu in his 33-man squad for next month's Rugby World Cup.
Toulon back Atila Septar, who was expected to play at the tournament, has left the group for "personal reasons", the Romanian rugby federation said in its statement.
Backs: Gabriel Rupanu, Florin Surugiu, Alin Conache, Gabriel Pop, Mihai Muresan, Tudor Boldor, Nicolas Onutu, Marius Simionescu, Tangimana Fonovai, Taylor Gontineac, Jason Tomane, Tevita Manumua, Hinckley Vaovasa, Paul Popoaia
Forwards: Alexandru Savin, Gheorghe Gajion, Thomas Cretu, Alexandru Gordas, Costel Burtila, IIulian Hartig, Ovidiu Cojocaru, Robert Irimescu, Florin Bardasu, Adrian Motoc, Marius Iftimiciuc, Stefan Iancu, Cristi Chirica, Mihai Macovei, Vlad Neculau, Dragos Ser, Cristi Boboc, Florian Rosu, Damian Stratila
Mihai Macovei has been a stalwart for ‘the Oaks’ and will play in his final World Cup in 2023 at age 36.
Macovei was Romania's star performer at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, scoring twice in their incredible comeback win over Canada.
He became just the fifth Romanian test centurion against Samoa in 2022, having plied his trade in the second division of French Rugby for Colomiers
Macovei will still play a major role for Romania wherever selected in that back-row despite giving up the captaincy to Cristi Chirica,
Taylor Gontineac has become a major weapon in the Romanian backline.
The centre had a breakout Rugby Europe Championship, scoring six tries in just three games, enough to earn selection in the Team of the Tournament.
Gontineac is a regular starter for ProD2 side Rouen after coming through the Clermont system as a teenager.
In an older side, Gontineac represents the future and will attract significant interest from other clubs with a world-class performance in the World Cup.
Played: 28
Wins: 6
Loses: 22 Best Finish: Group Stages
2019: DNQ
2015: Group Stages
2011: Group Stages
2007: Group Stages
2003: Group Stages
Romania will be eyeing off their final match against the Tongans as their best chance of victory.
Starting the tournament with Ireland and South Africa is as brutal of a start as possible.
However, they have a great record against Tonga, winning three of their five matches.
With the Tongans potentially down on confidence in the Pool of Death, this could be the perfect time to strike.
Fixtures
Sat Sep 9 (11:30 PM): Ireland v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Sun Sep 17 (11:00 PM): South Africa v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Sun Oct 1 (6:00 AM): Scotland v Romania, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Mon Oct 9 (2:45 AM): Tonga v Romania, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
