Romania national rugby union team

The Romania national rugby union team (Romanian: Echipa națională de rugby a României) represents Romania in men's international rugby union competitions, nicknamed Stejarii (The Oaks), is long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations. They have participated in all but one Rugby World Cup and currently compete in the first division of the European Nations Cup, which they won in 2017. Rugby union in Romania is administered by the Romanian Rugby Federation.

Romania
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Stejarii (The Oaks)
EmblemOak leaf
UnionRomanian Rugby Federation
Head coachEugen Apjok
CaptainMihai Macovei
Most capsFlorin Vlaicu (129)
Top scorerFlorin Vlaicu (1,030)
Top try scorerCătălin Fercu (33)
Home stadiumStadionul Arcul de Triumf
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current19 (as of 20 March 2023)
Highest13 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
Lowest20 (2019, 2022)
First international
 United States 23–0 Romania 
(Paris, France; 26 June 1919)
All military sides
Biggest win
 Bulgaria 0–100 Romania 
(Burgas, Bulgaria; 21 September 1976)
Biggest defeat
 England 134–0 Romania 
(London, England; 17 November 2001)
World Cup
Appearances8[note 1] (First in 1987)
Best resultPool stage (1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Medal record
Websiterugbyromania.ro

France first played rugby against Romania in 1924 when they tried to establish a rival to the Five Nations championship. Romania holds with 25 matches the record for the longest unbeaten run.[1] Although not regarded as a first-tier team in more recent times, their history includes an away draw against Ireland, and wins against four (France, Italy, Scotland, Wales) of the other Six Nations Championship teams.[2]

Romania played in every Rugby World Cup through to 2015, but were disqualified from the 2019 Rugby World Cup after fielding an ineligible player during the qualification process.[3] In the 2023 Rugby World Cup which saw the return of Romania to the tournament, Romania was in Pool B and has registered the following results: lost to 82-8 to Ireland national rugby union team, 76-0 to South Africa national rugby union team, 84-0 to Scotland national rugby union team and will play Tonga national rugby union team.

History

Early history

Romania at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France

The game itself was introduced by students returning with rugby balls from their studies in Paris to form clubs such as Stadiul Roman from 1913 onwards. Seventeen other teams would be formed in the capital, Bucharest.

Romania's first international was played against the US in 1919. France first officially played rugby union against Romania in May 1924 when they tried to establish a rival to the Five Nations Championship (now the Six Nations). France were victorious by 59 points to 3.

Romania were one of three teams who entered the 1924 Olympics in Paris. France won 59–3, scoring 13 tries including four by the fine Stade Francais winger Adolphe Jaureguy. The United States then defeated Romania 39–0. Romania finishing third claimed the bronze medal. The Federaţia Română de Rugby was formed in 1931. In 1939 a team was formed in Braşov at an aircraft factory. This was the first team outside Bucharest.

Post-World War II

Viorel Morariu (right) captained Romania in the 1950s and early 1960s
Alex Penciu, one of Romania's greatest players in the 1960s.
The Oaks starting lineup that beat France 15–0 in November 1980.
The Oaks before a test match against Wales in 1983.

A generation of French school trained coaches from late 1940s, and 1950s built a system and led the national team to success of the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. In this era Romania began to compete more regularly against the major nations. Their first win over France came in 1960 in Bucharest, in a tour match won by 11–5. In 1974 Romania won against France 15–10 in Bucharest,[4] and the FIRA – Association of European Rugby championship.[5] In 1975 Romania went for an 8-game tour to New Zealand, concluding in Wellington with a 10–10 draw against the Junior All Blacks. Exposure to international rugby developed the country's game and they began to form their own distinctive style of play, built around strong, bruising packs. That Romania was emerging as a real force on the world stage became clear on their 1979 Romania rugby union tour of Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, in an unofficial, non-cap international. The Oaks led going into the dying minutes, when only a last-gasp drop goal from Gareth Davies gave a narrow 13–12 victory for Wales. The improvement continued in 1980, when Romania crushed the French in a record 15–0 win in Bucharest. A trip to Lansdowne Road in the 1980 Romania rugby union tour of Ireland then yielded a 13–13 draw against Ireland in another unofficial, non-cap match.

In the 1980s the country boasted more than 12,000 players in 110 clubs. Home nations sides began to award international caps for matches against Romania in 1981; Scotland were the first to do so when Romania visited them on their 1981 tour, Scotland winning the international by 12 points to 6.[6] Wales travelled to Bucharest in November 1983 and were totally overwhelmed, falling to a 24–6 defeat. Romania's first win over Scotland came in Bucharest in 1984 and their first away win against Five Nations opposition came in 1988 against Wales; 15–9 at Cardiff Arms Park.

Their national side beat Wales (twice – 1983: 24–6 in Romania, 1988: 15–9 in Wales), Scotland (the 1984 Grand Slam side 28–22 in Romania), France (twice 1980: 15–0 in Romania, 1982: 13–9 in Romania) and drew with Ireland (13–13, in 1980, at Dublin). In 1981, they lost to the All Blacks 14–6 but had two tries disallowed. Many felt it was wrong for the rugby union powers to fail to bring them into top-flight competition. Romania beat Zimbabwe 21–20 in their first ever Rugby World Cup match in 1987 but did not win any other games and failed to progress beyond the group stage.

After the collapse of Communism

However, with the deterioration of the domestic political and economic situation in the country in the 1990s, Romanian rugby union suffered; the two leading rugby union teams – Dinamo Bucharest and Steaua Bucharest, represented the police and the army respectively, so their state funding fell.

Post-revolution, Romanian rugby union was still alive and kicking. In 1990 they recorded a prestigious win to date by beating France 12–6 on French soil for the first time. The following year they beat Scotland 18–12. At the 1991 World Cup they beat Fiji 17–15 and as recently as the 1995 World Cup, Romania held the eventual winners South Africa to a highly respectable 21–8.

The professionalism that followed immediately upon the heels of that World Cup was the undoing of the sport in Romania. Approximately 200 Romanian players are thought to be playing in France and Italy. It was not just playing numbers that suffered, but a whole generation of potential referees and administrators was lost to the game. By 1994 Romania's rugby fortunes had declined sharply, when a Welsh team travelled to Bucharest for an uncapped international the visitors came away with a 16–9 win. In 1997 the Romanians toured Wales. They lost 36–21 to Wales A at Pontypridd and 70–21 in a test held in Wrexham. At the 1999 World Cup Romania could again only manage a single win 27–25 against the United States.

The new millennium

Romania plays its home games at the Stadionul Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest.
Romania playing Ireland at Lansdowne Road in 2005.

In 2000, Romania won the first European Nations Cup by a large margin, recording victories in all four matches. By 2001, Romania had been caught by the likes of Georgia who defeated them to take the 2001 European Nations Cup, crowned with a decisive 31–20 win over Romania in Bucharest. The national side lost to England by 134–0 in 2001 and Dinamo Bucharest lost 151–0 to Saracens in the European Rugby Shield. Several French-based players refused to turn up for the England debacle simply because their clubs refused to pay them for the week. Players in that Romanian squad were getting £30 a day in expenses while England's top earners scooped £6,000 for their afternoon's work.

In January 2002, Bernard Charreyre was appointed coach of the national team both supplied by and paid by the French Rugby Federation (FFR). Under Charreyre (known by The Oaks as 'Little Napoleon'), the Oaks' decline has been stopped and the team has started to slowly climb from the basement of international rugby union. With a change of format in the European Nations Cup, Romania started in 2002 trailing Georgia due to the inclusion of 2001 results. The Oaks won all of the remaining five games, including a hard-fought 31–23 victory in Tbilisi to win the tournament. They qualified for the World Cup in 2003, where they beat Namibia and lost to Ireland (45–17), after an honourable display, and then to Australia (90–8) and Argentina (50–3). Charreyre was dismissed after the World Cup as the Romanian Federation was not satisfied by the World Cup performance and decided not to renew his contract. Three other French coaches followed: first, Phillipe Sauton, for a very short period, Robert Antonin as a temporary stand-in and then Daniel Santamans.

In the 2003–2004 European Nations Cup, Portugal were surprise 16–15 winners over Romania in Lisbon and installed themselves on the top of the 2003 table. In the second half of the competition, Romania seemed back on track (36–6 against Portugal in Constanţa), but went down 24–33 to Russia in Krasnodar following allegations of players having been doped. Then Portugal clinched their first title with a last-minute 19–18 win over Russia in Lisbon. In 2004, the Romanians scored a narrow 25–24 victory over Italy, their first victory to date over a Six Nations Championship side.

In 2005 Romania was given 'second tier' status by the IRB and replaced Russia in the Super Powers Cup. The USA beat a Romanian team stripped of their France-based players 23–16 in the third place play-off. The 2005–06 European Nations Cup also served as a qualifying group for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Romania triumphed despite finishing level on points with Georgia.

Romania qualified for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, finishing at the top of their pool during the Round 5 of the European qualifying tournaments. Romania won their first qualifying match on 7 October, defeating Georgia in Bucharest 20–8. Their 43–20 win over Spain in Madrid on 14 October ensured that they qualified directly for the World Cup in 2007. In June 2007, Romania hosted the IRB Nations Cup in Bucuresti.[7] In the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals, Romania won a bonus point in the 18–24 loss to Italy and to win a second game with Portugal by a narrow margin (14–10), but suffered heavy losses to Scotland (42–0) and New Zealand (85–8).

On 21 March 2009, Romania lost 22–21 at home to Portugal, leaving them with an uphill struggle to qualify for the 2011 World Cup – qualification for which is determined by performances in the European Nations Cup in 2009 and 2010. Romania went unbeaten, with a draw at Russia, in the 2010 phase of the European Nations Cup. The Oaks' strong finish put them in third place and the final phase of the European qualification playoffs, in which they easily defeated Ukraine over two legs (94–10 on aggregate) for the European place in the Final Place Playoff for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Romania emerged as the last qualifier for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand by overcoming first Tunisia in a winner-takes-it-all game (56–13) and later Uruguay (60–33 on aggregate). Thus, the Oaks are one of only 12 teams to participate at all World Cups alongside New Zealand, Australia, England, France, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, Canada, and Japan.

In November 2016, Romania achieved home soil wins against the US, Canada and Uruguay.[8]

In 2018, Romania finished top of the Rugby Europe Championship, meaning they qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup to be played in Japan in 2019. But after the conclusion of the tournament World Rugby conducted a review of player eligibility and found Romania fielded Sione Faka'osilea, who previously played for the Tonga Sevens team, which made him ineligible to play for Romania in the competition. Romania was stripped of 30 competition points, which placed them third and meant that they failed to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with Russia taking their place.[9]

On 29 May 2018, it was confirmed that Romania had appealed the decision.[10] On 6 June, the appeal failed and the decision was upheld, meaning Russia was confirmed as Europe 1 and qualified for the World Cup, whilst Germany advanced to round 6.[11]

Honours

Record

Romania holds the record for the longest unbeaten run: 25 matches in between May 1959 and November 1964.[1]

Wins against Tier 1 nations

Date Home Score Away Venue Status
14 April 1940 Romania  3–0  Italy Kingdom of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest Test Match
5 June 1960[12] Romania  11–5  France Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest Test Match
10 June 1962 Romania  14–6  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest Test Match
11 November 1962 Romania  3–0  France Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest Test Match
14 May 1967 Romania  15–14  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1966–67 FIRA Nations Cup
1 December 1968 Romania  24–3  France Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1968–69 FIRA Nations Cup
25 October 1970 Italy  3–14  Romania Italy Stadio Comunale Mario Battaglini, Rovigo 1969–70 FIRA Nations Cup
11 April 1971 Romania  32–6  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1970–71 FIRA Nations Cup
13 October 1974 Romania  15–10  France Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1974–75 FIRA Trophy
14 November 1976 Romania  15–12  France Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1976–77 FIRA Trophy
1 May 1977 Romania  69–0  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1976–77 FIRA Trophy
22 April 1979 Romania  44–0  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1978–79 FIRA Trophy
23 November 1980 Romania  15–0  France Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1980–81 FIRA Trophy
12 April 1981 Romania  35–9  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Brăila 1980–81 FIRA Trophy
31 October 1982 Romania  13–9  France Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1982–83 FIRA Trophy
10 April 1983 Romania  13–6  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Buzău 1982–83 FIRA Trophy
12 November 1983 Romania  24–6  Wales Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest Test Match
20 May 1984 Romania  28-22  Scotland Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest Test Match
14 April 1985 Romania  7–6  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Brașov 1984–85 FIRA Trophy
12 April 1987 Romania  9–3  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Constanța 1985–87 FIRA Trophy
2 April 1988 Italy  3–12  Romania Italy San Siro, Milan 1987–89 FIRA Trophy
10 December 1988 Wales  9–15  Romania Wales Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Test Match
15 April 1989 Romania  28–4  Italy Socialist Republic of Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1987–89 FIRA Trophy
14 April 1990 Italy  9–16  Romania Italy Frascati 1989–90 FIRA Trophy
24 May 1990 France  9–12  Romania France Stade du Moulias, Auch 1989–90 FIRA Trophy
31 August 1991 Romania  18–12  Scotland Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest Test Match
14 May 1994 Romania  26–12  Italy Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest 1992–94 FIRA Trophy
26 June 2004 Romania  25–24  Italy Romania Dinamo Stadium, Bucharest Test Match

European competitions

Romania's only annual tournament is a competition involving Europe's tier 2 and tier 3 national teams. From 1936 through 1938, they competed in the FIRA Tournament against France, Germany and Italy. In 1965 until 1973 the FIRA Nations Cup was formed allowing other teams to be promoted or relegated from the competition. Romania won the competition once in 1969, being the only team to defeat France.

Pre–WWII Tournament (1936–1938)
Nation Games Points Table
points
Champs
played won drawn lost for against diff
 France660013348+853
 Germany63038392−90
 Italy53027576−10
 Romania710681114−330
 Belgium21012048−280
 Netherlands2002862−540
FIRA Nations Cup (1965–1973)
Nation Games Points Table
points
Champs
played won drawn lost for against diff
 France262501824198+626657
 Romania261718528222+306511
 Czechoslovakia172213135411−267160
 Morocco920765332−267130
 Italy1341886227−141120
 West Germany1011881132−5160
 Spain31025655+150
 Poland300319132−11330
 Portugal300323108−8500

European Nations Cup (2000–present)

Winners

Year First Division Lower Division Champions
Winner Second Third Relegated Division 2 Division 3
2000  Romania  Georgia  Morocco  Russia  Czech Republic
2001  Georgia  Romania  Russia  Poland Not played[13]
2001–2002  Romania  Georgia  Russia  Netherlands  Czech Republic[14]  Slovenia
2003–2004  Portugal  Romania  Georgia  Spain  Ukraine  Moldova
2004–2006  Romania  Georgia  Portugal  Ukraine  Spain  Latvia
2006–2008  Georgia  Russia  Romania  Czech Republic  Germany  Sweden
2008–2010  Georgia  Russia  Portugal  Germany [15]  Ukraine  Lithuania
2010  Romania  Georgia  Russia
2011  Georgia  Romania  Portugal  Ukraine [16]  Belgium  Sweden
2012  Georgia  Spain  Romania
2013  Georgia  Romania  Russia  Belgium [17]  Germany  Netherlands
2014  Georgia  Romania  Russia
2015  Georgia  Romania  Spain  Portugal  Belgium  Estonia
2016  Georgia  Romania  Russia
2017  Romania  Georgia  Spain  Portugal  Czech Republic /  Malta
2018  Georgia  Russia  Germany
2019  Georgia  Spain  Romania  Germany
2020  Georgia  Spain  Romania  Belgium  Netherlands
2021  Georgia  Romania  Portugal
2022  Georgia  Romania  Spain  Russia  Belgium  Sweden /
 Croatia

All-time table

PldWDLPFPAPDAVPPGPtsChamps
 Georgia 1008341330961151+194530.9633411
 Romania 1007222630241311+171330.242885
 Russia 854733421901788+40226.071860
 Portugal 853534716051865−26018.881521
 Spain 802545115752020−44519.691450
 Czech Republic 2960233621075−71312.48400
 Germany 2531213411064−72313.64260
 Netherlands 151014278652−37418.53170
 Ukraine 201019201998−79710.05150
 Morocco 53029469+2518.80110
 Belgium 202117204412−20813.680

Rivalries

Romania and Georgia have enjoyed a rivalry between the two most successful teams in the European Nations Cup. The winner of the rivalry takes home the Antim Cup.

Rugby World Cup

Romania had competed in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987; that streak ended in 2018, when they were expelled from the 2019 tournament via points deduction for fielding ineligible players. Their best finish was with one win in 1987, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. They lost all pool matches in 1995, 2011 and 2023.

World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
Year Round P W D L F A P W D L F A
AustraliaNew Zealand 1987Pool stage310261130-
United KingdomIrelandFrance 1991Pool stage3102316432018542
South Africa 1995Pool stage30031497420210546
Wales 1999Pool stage3102501266402300127
Australia 2003Pool stage41036519221018431
France 2007Pool stage410340161121002452122
New Zealand 2011Pool stage40044416912813376142
England 2015Pool stage41036012910811242106
Japan 2019Expelled after qualification8602296106
France 2023Pool stage40043228710604289232
Total 9/10 32 6 0 26 397 1,355 67 47 2 18 2229 954

Overall

Top 20 as of 23 October 2023[18]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady South Africa092.79
2 Steady New Zealand091.56
3 Steady Ireland090.57
4 Steady France087.81
5 Steady England083.72
6 Steady Scotland083.43
7 Steady Argentina082.42
8 Steady Wales080.64
9 Steady Australia077.48
10 Steady Fiji076.38
11 Steady Italy075.93
12 Steady Japan074.27
13 Steady Portugal072.78
14 Steady Georgia072.68
15 Steady Samoa072.23
16 Steady Tonga071.57
17 Steady Uruguay067.39
18 Steady United States066.22
19 Steady Spain064.05
20 Steady Romania063.28
21 Steady Namibia060.56
22 Steady Chile060.49
23 Steady Canada060.46
24 Steady Hong Kong059.80
25 Steady Russia058.06
26 Steady Brazil056.35
27 Steady Netherlands055.84
28 Steady  Switzerland055.72
29 Steady Belgium054.58
30 Steady South Korea053.46
* Change from the previous week
Romania's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[18]
Graph updated to 23 October 2023

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Romania national XV at test level up until 9 October 2023.[19]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Argentina90900.00%114341−227
 Argentina XV541080.00%11374+39
 Australia30300.00%20189−169
 Belgium8800100.00%41486+328
 Brazil2200100.00%7826+52
 Bulgaria2200100.00%1703+167
 Canada862075.00%138142−4
 Chile2200100.0%5734+23
 Czech Republic6600100.00%30753+254
 Czechoslovakia18170194.44%349105+244
 East Germany13120192.31%39369+324
 England50500.0%24335−311
 Fiji312033.33%4270−28
 France50840216%4621315−853
 France A10100.00%1620−4
 France XV50500.00%30153−123
 Georgia28918132.14%447617−170
 Germany1165054.55%367158+209
 Ireland1001000.00%110472−362
 Ireland XV10010.90%1313+0
Ireland Emerging Ireland10100.00%1031−21
 Italy441625336.36%654711−57
 Italy A422050.00%6587−22
 Emerging Italy2200100.00%4326+17
 Japan615016.67%119152−33
 Japan XV1100100.00%3025+5
 Morocco871087.5%34256+286
 Namibia651083.33%15866+92
 Netherlands9900100.00%39073+317
 New Zealand20200.00%1499−85
 New Zealand XV10100.00%3060−30
 Junior All Blacks10010.00%1010+0
 Poland17152088.24%581170+411
 Portugal28244085.71%860351+509
 Russia24167166.67%580347+233
 Samoa321066.67%4959−10
 Scotland14212015.38%192559−367
 Scotland A10100.00%1821−3
 South Africa20200.00%897−89
South Africa Emerging Springboks20200.00%2086−66
 Soviet Union15123080%251153+98
 Spain39354089.74%1115442+673
 Tonga523040%111129−18
 Tunisia541080.00%18942+147
 Ukraine7700100.00%40043+357
 United States927022.22%121240−119
 Uruguay13102176.92%354188+166
 Wales826025.0%96342−246
 Wales XV10100.00%1213−1
 West Germany981088.89%19969+130
 Zimbabwe4400100.00%12384+39
Total4812711981256.34%10,8089106+1702

Players

Current squad

Romania announced their 33-player squad on 16 August 2023.[20]

On 28 August 2023, Mihai Macovei, Mihai Mureșan and Paul Popoaia were ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining various injuries. They were replaced in the Romania squad by André Gorin, Sioeli Lama and Taliaʻuli Sikuea.[21]

Head Coach: Romania Eugen Apjok

  • Caps Updated: 9 September 2023
Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Florin Bărdașu Hooker (1991-09-23) 23 September 1991 12 Romania Steaua București
Ovidiu Cojocaru Hooker (1996-11-19) 19 November 1996 32 Romania Dinamo București
Robert Irimescu Hooker (1996-03-01) 1 March 1996 4 Romania Știința Baia Mare
Costel Burțilă Prop (1991-07-14) 14 July 1991 13 France Hyères Carqueiranne
Thomas Crețu Prop (2002-03-05) 5 March 2002 5 France Aurillac
Gheorghe Gajion Prop (1992-11-13) 13 November 1992 9 France Mont-de-Marsan
Alexandru Gordaș Prop (1994-05-11) 11 May 1994 35 Romania Dinamo București
Iulian Harțig Prop (1998-10-11) 11 October 1998 9 France Bassin d'Arcachon
Alexandru Savin Prop (1995-02-12) 12 February 1995 25 Romania Steaua București
Ștefan Iancu Lock (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 5 Romania Știința Baia Mare
Marius Iftimiciuc Lock (1997-08-13) 13 August 1997 22 France Carcassonne
Adrian Moțoc Lock (1996-07-11) 11 July 1996 27 France Biarritz
Cristi Boboc Back row (1995-10-09) 9 October 1995 9 Romania Steaua București
Cristi Chirică (c) Back row (1997-04-09) 9 April 1997 34 Romania Dinamo București
André Gorin Back row (1987-11-30) 30 November 1987 44 France Hyères Carqueiranne
Vlad Neculau Back row (1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 14 Romania Timișoara
Florian Roșu Back row (1993-04-20) 20 April 1993 13 Romania Știința Baia Mare
Dragoș Ser Back row (1999-03-04) 4 March 1999 15 Romania Steaua București
Damian Strătilă Back row (1996-07-28) 28 July 1996 6 Romania Steaua București
Alin Conache Scrum-half (2002-05-07) 7 May 2002 5 Romania Timișoara
Gabriel Rupanu Scrum-half (1997-09-28) 28 September 1997 21 Romania Timișoara
Florin Surugiu Scrum-half (1984-12-10) 10 December 1984 103 Romania Steaua București
Tudor Boldor Fly-half (1997-11-29) 29 November 1997 16 Romania Dinamo București
Gabriel Pop Fly-half (1998-03-29) 29 March 1998 5 Romania Dinamo București
Taylor Gontineac Centre (2000-07-16) 16 July 2000 10 France Rouen
Tevita Manumua Centre (1993-02-12) 12 February 1993 2 Romania Timișoara
Taliaʻuli Sikuea Centre (1995-07-14) 14 July 1995 1 Romania Știința Baia Mare
Jason Tomane Centre (1995-03-04) 4 March 1995 14 Romania Știința Baia Mare
Sioeli Lama Wing (1995-10-12) 12 October 1995 6 Romania Steaua București
Nicolas Onuțu Wing (1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 27 France Annonay
Marius Simionescu Wing (1997-09-05) 5 September 1997 30 Romania Timișoara
Fonovai Tangimana Wing (1989-10-25) 25 October 1989 22 Romania Steaua București
Hinckley Vaovasa Fullback (1998-09-24) 24 September 1998 18 Romania Steaua București

Notable players

Mircea Paraschiv captained Romania from 1976 to 1987.
Florică Murariu was one of a number of Romanian rugby internationals who were killed during the Romanian Revolution in December 1989.[22]
Romania's current top point scorer and most capped player of all time, Florin Vlaicu.

The 1924 Romania Olympic team are the only Romanian inductee to have been inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame. Nicolae Mărăscu captained the Hall of Fame side. The highest point of Mărăscu's career was at the 1924 tournament, earning Romania the bronze medal. He played as a centre and had five caps, without ever scoring, since his first match, in 1919, a 48–5 loss to France, in Paris, for the Inter-Allied Games, and his last, at 22 May 1927, in a 21–5 win over Czechoslovakia, in Bratislava.

Iulian Dumitraș was Romania's main man. Dumitraș was known to be one of the Oaks' most gifted playmakers, with an accurate kicking boot and a penchant for sparking attacks. Having made his test debut in 2002, he went on to start in every match a Rugby World Cup 2007 in France, bringing plenty of experience to the nation. The then standing 1.88m and weighing in a 110 kg, Dumitraș was a punishing runner when he chimes into the line on attack, which he looked to do often, and he provided a solid and dependable last obstacle in defence.

Sorin Socol is regarded by many good judges as the then best player in the current squad and was one of the rocks of the Romanian forward pack. He has captained the most matches to date for Romania, between 2003 and 2011. A total of 61 tests, 36 of them were as captain. He captained Romania for the first time on 30 October 2003 during the 2003 Rugby World Cup match against Namibia. He went on and featured in the 2007 World Cup squad and eventually retired from all international rugby after the 2011 tournament. Socol had one of Romania's highest winning percentage as a captain of 63.88.

Florin Vlaicu is Romania's top ever point scorer and also the most capped player appearing in 104 tests so far. Vlaicu made his international debut in 2006 as a substitute against Ukraine. He played for Romania in the IRB Nations Cup and in their 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifying before appearing for them in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He played two Tests at the World Cup as a substitute against both Scotland and the All Blacks. He also played at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.

Cristian Petre is Romania's most recognized player after dominating the lock position for eleven years. He is one of Romania's most capped player with a total of 92 matches and a career span that started in 2001 against England and ended in 2012 against Italy. Petre has featured in three Rugby World Cups, first in 2003, going on to feature in 2007 and his last being in 2011. Petre has scored a total of six tries and had winning percentage of 55.43.

Cătălin Fercu is generally regarded as one of Romania's true global superstar of rugby union. Fercu is Romania's top try scorers. He had quickly made appearances on the international stage at a very young age and played against France and Scotland in the Autumn internationals in 2006. He also scored a try against the French. Fercu helped guide Romania to the 2007 Rugby World Cup as he played in the qualifier matches including the vital games against Georgia and Spain and scored a try against Spain in the game that sealed their qualification to the Rugby World Cup. Fercu was a late withdrawal from their Rugby World Cup squad in 2011 because he was not prepared to fly all the way to New Zealand. The Romanian side arrived in Christchurch to prepare for their first game of the tournament against Scotland in Invercargill on 10 September without Fercu, who failed to get on the plane when it left Romania.

Another one of the Oaks greatest players are Romeo Gontineac, represented Romania in four Rugby World Cups from 1995 to 2007. The hard running centre, who became the national coach in 2010, was capped 75 times for the nation, scoring 13 tries and a drop goal. During his career he played professionally in Romania, South Africa and France.

Members of the 1924 Olympics team

Coaches

Current coaching staff

The current coaching staff of the Romanian national team:

Name Nationality Role
Iustin Ilioiu ROUManager
Eugen Apjok ROUHead coach
David Ellis NZLDefence coach
Sosene Anesi SAMBacks coach
Steve Scott SCOForwards coach
Valentin Ursache ROUContact area coach
Dave Ellis ENGDefence coach

Former coaches

Years Coach
1961–1965Romania Petre Cosmănescu
1965–1968Romania Viorel Morariu
1968–1972Romania Petre Cosmănescu
1973–1974Romania Valeriu Irimescu
1974–1981Romania Petre Cosmănescu
1985–1987Romania Theodor Rădulescu
1987–1989Romania Mihai Naca
1989–1990Romania Theodor Rădulescu
1991Romania Peter Ianusevici
1992–1994Romania Theodor Rădulescu
1994–1999Romania Mircea Paraschiv
1999–2001Romania Eduard Suciu
2002–2003France Bernard Charreyre
2004France Phillipe Sauton
2004France Robert Antonin
2005–2007France Daniel Santamans
2007–2008Romania Marin Moț
2008–2009New Zealand Ellis Meachen
2009Romania Marin Moț
2009–2010France Serge Lairle
2010–2011Romania Romeo Gontineac
2012Romania Haralambie Dumitraș
2013–2018Wales Lynn Howells
2018France Thomas Lièvremont
2019Romania Marius Țincu (interim)
2019–2022England Andy Robinson
2022–PresentRomania Eugen Apjok

Individual all-time records

Most caps

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Won Lost Draw %
1Florin VlaicuCentre2006–2022129103267947362.89
2Cătălin FercuFullback2005–202010910727333368.34
3Florin SurugiuScrum-half2008–202310566396242162.35
4Mihai MacoveiFlanker2006–202310493116043158.98
5Valentin CalafeteanuScrum-half2004–201910054466137262.00
6Cristian PetreLock2001–2012928395040255.43
7Csaba GálCentre2005–20158865234937256.81
8Valentin PopârlanLock2007–20207750274829062.33
9Romeo GontineacCentre1995–2008767513541046.05
Adrian LunguCentre1980–1995767514036052.63
Lucian SîrbuScrum-half1996–20117662144034253.94

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[23]

Most tries

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries
1Cătălin FercuFullback2005–2020109107217133
2Gabriel BrezoianuCentre1996–20077167414228
3Mihai MacoveiFlanker2006–2023104931111022
4Ionut DumitruCentre2013–2022554968517
5Ovidiu TonițaFlanker2000–2016736767515
6Petre MituScrum-half1996–20094136533914
Cristian SăuanWing1999–2007373257014
Marius ȚincuHooker2002–2012534947014
Florin VlaicuCentre2006–202212910326102514
94 players on 13 tries

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[24]

Most points

# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1Florin VlaicuCentre2006–20221291321141732034
2Dănuț DumbravăFly-half2002–201573389373742
3Petre MituScrum-half1996–2009413391455530
4Ionuţ TofanFly-half1997–2007603161253464
5Valentin CalafeteanuScrum-half2004–20191002331132371
6Neculai NichiteanFly-half1990–1997282010184510
7Cătălin FercuFullback2005–202010917133110
8Ionel MelinteFullback2018–present27161832190
9Gelu IgnatFly-half1986–199225148115326
10Gabriel BrezoianuCentre1996–20077114228100

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[25]

Most matches as captain

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries
1Mihai MacoveiFlanker2012–2023724724168.1010521
2Sorin SocolLock2001–2011362212263.88255
3Stelian BurceaFlanker2009–201819136068.42153
4Mircea ParaschivScrum-half1980–198718710141.66164
5Haralambie DumitrasNumber 81989–19931459035.71205
Romeo GontineacCentre1999–200314410028.5751
7Tiberiu BrînzăNumber 81994–19971311207.6951
8Marius ȚincuHooker2007–20121156045.4500
9Costica MersoiuNumber 82007–20081064060.0051
10Alin PetracheNumber 81999–2004734042.8500

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[26]

Most points in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Ionuţ TofanFly-half322820 SpainRomania Iași05/10/2002
2Virgil PopisteanuFly-half2701210 PortugalRomania Bucharest13/04/1996
Petre MituScrum-half271260 PortugalPortugal Lisbon04/02/2001
4Ionel RotaruWing255000 PortugalRomania Bucharest13/04/1996
5Florin VlaicuFullback241801 Czech RepublicRomania Bucharest22/03/2008
Florin VlaicuCentre241250 RussiaRomania Bucharest09/02/2013
7Gelu IgnatFly-half220540 NetherlandsItaly Treviso30/09/1990
Petre MituScrum-half221430 RussiaRomania Bârlad18/03/2001
Ionuţ TofanFly-half221150 RussiaRussia Krasnodar24/03/2002
105 players on 21 points

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[27]

Most tries in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Gheorgie RascanuFlanker205000 MoroccoRomania Bucharest02/05/1972
Cornel PopescuWing205000 PortugalRomania Bârlad18/10/1986
Ionel RotaruWing255000 PortugalRomania Bucharest13/04/1996
4Petre MotrescuWing164000 ItalyRomania Bucharest01/05/1977
Gheorghe SolomieWing204000 BelgiumBelgium Brussels04/10/1997
Lucian ColceriuWing204000 PolandRomania Bucharest02/05/1998
711 players on 3 tries

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[28]

Media coverage

Romania's Rugby Europe Championship matches, mid year internationals and end of year internationals are currently televised by TVR.

Kit suppliers

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1919–1985 No supplier No shirt sponsor
1985–1988 Adidas
1988–1989 Bukta
1989–1993 Adidas Rank Xerox
1994–1996 Gilbert No shirt sponsor
1996–1997 Puma AG[29]
1997–2001 Gilbert No shirt sponsor
2002 Petrom
2003–2008 O'Neills Orange
2009 No shirt sponsor
2010 CEC Bank
2011 KooGa
2012 Tall Ball
2012 Samurai Sportswear (worn in the 2012 end of the year internationals)
2013–2016 BLK
2016–2019 Mizuno
2020 Tall Ball
2021 Macron
2021 Stanleybet (worn in the 2021 mid-year internationals)
2021– No shirt sponsor
2023 Kaufland

See also

Further reading

  • Bath, Richard (1997). The Complete Book of Rugby. London: Sevenoaks. ISBN 978-1-8620-0013-1.
  • Ravagnani, Luciano; Fadda, Pierluigi (2007). Storia del Rugby Mondiale dalle origini ad oggi (2nd ed.). Milan: Editrice SEP. ISBN 978-8-8871-1092-0.
  • Zamfir, Constantin (2010). Povestea naționalei de rugby continuă: palmaresul revăzut și completat (3rd ed.). Bucharest: Editura Paco. ISBN 978-6-0680-0654-3.
  • Garcia, Henri (2013). La Fabuleuse Histoire du rugby. Paris: La Martinière. ISBN 978-2-7324-5456-6.
  • Moldoveanu, Traian (2016). Rugby: Istorie românească, Vol. 1 1908-1982. Editura Scripta. ISBN 978-9-7382-3855-8.
  • Moldoveanu, Traian (2018). Rugby: Istorie românească, Vol. 2 1983-2018. Editura Scripta.

Notes

  1. Though Romania had qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, they were expelled after their qualification.

References

  1. "Rugby: România - deținătoarea necunoscută a unui record mondial" [Romania holds longest unbeaten run] (in Romanian). Romania: RFI. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  2. Men's International Rugby Union Teams beaten by Romania
  3. "Independent Appeal Committee decision regarding Romania and Spain".
  4. "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN". ESPNscrum.
  5. 1974–1975 FIRA Trophy
  6. Vivian Jenkins, ed. (1982). Rothmans Rugby Yearboook 1982–83. Rothmans Publications Ltd. p. 65. ISBN 0907574130.
  7. "IRB". Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
  8. November gain or pain? Retrieved December 2016
  9. "Russia qualify for 2019 Rugby World Cup after Romania, Belgium and Spain sanctioned for ineligible players". Independent.co.uk. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  10. Disciplinary update: Romania and Spain to appeal disputes committee outcomes
  11. Independent Appeal Committee decision regarding Romania and Spain
  12. "Games played between Romania and France".
  13. Was played the first round of 2003 Rugby World Cup – European qualification
  14. Was played as the second round of 2003 Rugby World Cup – European qualification
  15. relegation and promotion on two year based ranking
  16. relegation and promotion on two year based ranking
  17. relegation and promotion on two year based ranking
  18. "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  19. Romania statistics
  20. "33 de Stejari pentru Cupa Mondială! Cristi Chirică va fi căpitanul României!". FRR (in Romanian). 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  21. "Trei modificări în lotul României pentru Cupa Mondială". FRR (in Romanian). 28 August 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  22. Coyle, Danny (17 September 2014). "20 Biggest Shock Results in Rugby History". The Bleacher Report. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  23. "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  24. "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  25. "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  26. "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  27. "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  28. "Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables - ESPN".
  29. Museo del Rugby - N.1, Gabriel Vlad (Andrea Castellani)
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