Romania took a brand new team to Portugal and beat the Lobos 23-5 in Lisbon in a European Nations Cup match on Saturday. It is a promising result for the Oaks, a shattering one for the Lobos.
When the two teams met in the Rugby World Cup, the Oaks, with all their foreign players, eked out a 14-10 victory over Portugal. Now, with a team almost entirely made up of home-based players and in Portugal, the Romanians have come up with this substantial victory.
At half-time Romania led 6-3. Gonçalo Malheiro opened the scoring for Portugal with a penalty after two minutes but then Romania goaled two through flyhalf Dan Dumbrava, who was forced to leave the field injured just before half-time.
Early in the second half lock Valentin Popirlan scored a try. Fullback Florin Vlaicu took over the kicking from Dumbrava and goaled the conversion and then a penalty. Replacement wing Catalin Descalu scored the second try.
The Romanians were greatly pleased and encouraged by the victory.
Scorers
For Romania
Tries: Popirlan, Dascalu
Cons: Vlaicu 2
Pens: Dumbrava 2, Vlaicu
For Portugal
Try: Foro
Pen: Malheiro
Teams
Portugal: 15 Pedro Leal, 14 António Aguilar, 13 Frederico Sousa, 12 Francisco Mira, 11 Gonçalo Foro, 10 Gonçalo Malheiro, 9 Luís Pissarra, 8 Tiago Girão, 7 Vasco Uva, 6 Diogo Coutinho, 5 Gonçalo Uva, 4 Eduardo Acosta, 3 Cristian Spachuk, 2 João Correia, 1 Juan Murré.
Replacements: 16 Rodrigo Aguiar, 17 Duarte Figueiredo, 18 Juan Severino, 19 António Sarmento, 20 José Pinto, 21 Pedro Cabral, 22 Diogo Gama
Romania: 15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Gheorghita Bigiu, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Vlad Dan, 11 Stefan Ciuntu, 10 Danut Dumbrava, 9 Iulian Andrei, 8 Costica Mersoiu (captain), 7 Mihai Macovei, 6 Stelian Burcea, 5 Valentin Popirlan, 4 Alin Marcel Coste, 3 Radu Basalau, 2 Marcel Mihalache, 1 Nicolae Nere
Replacements: 16 Flavius Dobre, 17 Bogdan Zebega, 18 Cosmin Ratiu, 19 Vasile Rus, 20 Ciprian Caplescu, 21 Ionut Dimofte, 22 Catalin Dascalu
Referee: Tim Hayes (Wales)
Touch judges: David Bodilly (Wales), Mike Bethell (Wales)
Match commissioner: Yves Bressy (France)
