ROMANIA v PORTUGAL World Cup Qualifying R5 European Nations Cup Division 1A

02.02.2013

Venue: Estádio Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon

Referee: Neil Hennessy (Wales)

Preview
Both Portugal and Romania look the likely teams to Challenge Georgia’s dominance of the European Nations Cup. At the end of the 2013-14 season the first two teams will automatically qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals as Europe 1 and Europe 2. Europe 3 goes to the repechage rounds. A good position at the end of this season is vital. For Portugal it is important to secure the home win.

Portugal fared well on the November South American tour being especially impressive against Uruguay, whom they lost 7-35 to mid-year.

Romania were disappointing as they lost to both USA and Japan at home in November. This followed a good win at the final IRB Nations Cup tournament in June.

Previous Encounters
04.02.2012 Romania 15-7 in Bucharest (ENC 1A)
05.02.2011 Portugal 24-17 in Lisbon (ENC 1A)
20.03.2010 Romania 20-9 in Lisbon (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
21.03.2009 Portugal 22-21 in Bucharest (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
08.03.2008 Romania 21-15 in Bucharest (ENC 1)

Romania Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
24.11.2012 v United States L 3-34 in Bucharest
16.11.2012 v Japan L 23-24 in Bucharest
17.06.2012 v Emerging Italy W 17-13 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
12.06.2012 v Argentina ‘A’ W 23-21 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
08.06.2012 v Uruguay W 29-9 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

Portugal Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
17.11.2012 v Chile W 28-22 in Santiago
11.11.2012 v Uruguay W 32-25 in Montevideo
17.06.2012 Uruguay L 7-35 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
12.06.2012 v Emerging Italy L 21-28 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
08.06.2012 v Argentina ‘A’ L 9-41 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Portugal 16th, Romania 22nd
Europe Table-Romania 8th, Portugal 12th

IRB Ranking Points
Romania 62.12, Portugal 59.63

Prediction: Very, very close. Romania by 2 points

TEAMS

Romania

15		Catalin Fercu	RCM Timisoara
14		Mihai Rosca	CSM Baia Mare
13		Robert Dascalu	Steaua Bucharesti
12		Florin Vlaicu	Steaua Bucharesti
11		Adrian Apostol	RC Farul Constanța
10		Dorin Manole	US Orthez, France
9		Florin Surugiu	CSM Bucaresti
8		Daniel Carpo	RCM Timisoara
7		Mihai Macovei (Capt.)	Sporting Nazairien, France
6		Viorel Lucaci	Steaua Bucharesti
5		Marius Sirbe	Tarbes, France
4		Valentin Ursache	Oyonnax, France
3		Andrei Ursache	Carcassonne, France
2		Andrei Radoi	CSM Baia Mare
1		Mihai Lazar	Castres, France
16		Eugen Capatana	RCM Timisoara
17		Paulica Ion	London Welsh, England
18		Petru Tamba	Cardiff Blues, Wales
19		Cornel Tatu	Steaua Bucharesti
20		Ovidiu Tonita	Carcassonne, France
21		Ciprian Caplescu	Dinamo Bucaresti
22		Csaba Gal	CSM Baia Mare
23		Ionut Niacsu	CSM Baia Mare
		HEAD COACH: Lyn Howells

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4246&sid=b5c548abddf65969ae711456c9038797

Portugal

15		Nuno Penha e Costa	CD University Lisboa
14		Adérito Esteves	GD Direito
13		Carl Murray	CD University Lisboa
12		Frederico Oliveira	CD University Lisboa
11		Gonçalo Foro	CD University Lisboa
10		Pedro Leal	Nice, France
9		Francisco Pinto Malgahaes	CD Univ.Lisboa
8		Julian Bardy	Cleremont-Ferrand, France
7		Juan Severino	Chamberry, France
6		Jacques Le Roux	AEISAgronomia
5		David dos Reis	Châteaurenard, France
4		Gonçalo Uva (Capt.)	GD Direito
3		Juan Murré	A. S. Dijonnais, France
2		João Correia	GD Direito
1		Francisco Fernandes	Beziers, France
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
		HEAD COACH: Errol Brain

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4246