Romania Take On Tonga in Final RWC Warm-Up
After a largely successful 2015 for Romania which saw them compile a 6-3 record across the Six Nations B and IRB Nations Cup, the Oaks will put the finishing touches on their Rugby World Cup warm-up campaign in a test match against Tonga.
Since the match is well-positioned to be a springboard into what each side hopes will be a successful World Cup campaign, both head coaches—Lynn Howells for Romania and Mana ‘Otai for Tonga—are expected to name near-first-choice squads.
Away from the pitch, an official presentation of the Romanian national team players, coaches, and support staff was held at the 115-year-old CEC Palace in Bucharest, with the attention it garnered reflecting that World Cup hype has well and truly arrived in Romania.
Add it all up, and there should be a true World Cup feel to the proceedings at the historic Stadionul Arcul de Triumf on Saturday.
One factor which is unlikely to carry over to England, however, is the scorching heat which has descended upon Romania’s capital city over the past few days. In fact, the temperatures in Bucharest are expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius on the day of the game, and although kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. local time, the players will be in for a punishing, sweatier-than-usual evening.
Beyond the sporting implications, the match will also have emotional significance for everyone involved due to the unfortunate situation of flanker Sione Vaiomo’unga.
Formerly a flanker for the Tongan national team, Vaiomo’unga was playing professionally in Romania until he was diagnosed with renal failure during the 2013 season. Since that time, the now-26-year-old been stranded in Romania, where he receives the dialysis treatments that keep him alive—treatments which are unavailable in his native Tonga. To makes matters worse, Vaiomo’unga’s status as a foreign national makes him ineligible to receive a kidney donation through the European medical system.
“The people of Romania and my club [Baia Mare] have been so helpful, accommodating and understanding especially given my immigration status,” said Vaiomo’unga. “I’m receiving dialysis three times a week and currently living with one of the Tongan boys . . . I’m so appreciative and grateful and can’t believe how many people are thinking of me even though we may not know each other.”
No doubt, when the Oaks and the ‘Ikale Tahi take to the pitch, Vaiomo’unga will be in the front of everyone’s mind—especially given the Romanian Rugby Federation’s announcement that all money generated from ticket sales will be donated to the young man, allowing him to reunite with his family for the first time in over a year.
Certainly this is a case where it is particularly good news that the Oaks will, as always, play in front of a sold-out home stadium.
Amid the heat and the hype, there will be two teams with a lot of reasons to make 80 minutes count for just a little more than usual.
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