With the 2015 Rugby World Cup fast approaching, Last Word on Sports looks back at how the participating nations have fared in the previous seven tournaments from the inaugural in 1987 to the most recent in 2011. Today’s focus is Romania, who have appeared at each of the seven previous Rugby World Cups.
Rugby World Cup History: Romania
1987
Romania competed at the inaugural Rugby World Cup as one of the nine invited nations. Romania were drawn in Pool 4 with International Rugby Football Board members France and Scotland as well as fellow invitee Zimbabwe. Romania edged their opening game against Zimbabwe winning by a single point, but were well beaten in their second game as France defeated The Oaks 55-12. Needing a win against Scotland in their final game to qualify for the quarter finals, Romania were unable to overcome the Scots as Scotland ran out 55-28 winners and Romania were eliminated.
1991
To qualify for the 1991 World Cup Romania competed in the European regional qualifying group against Italy, Netherlands and Spain. Wins against Netherlands and Spain were enough to see Romania qualify for the finals despite a defeat to Italy in their final game. At the finals Romania were drawn in Pool D with France, Canada and Fiji, and faced a tough opener against France. Romania were unable to upset the odds against Les Bleus and were defeated 30-3. A tight 19-11 defeat to Canada in their second game put quarter final qualification beyond Romania; however a 17-15 win over Fiji gave The Oaks some consolation.
1995
Romania defeated Russia and Germany in the European East qualifying group, however lost to Wales and Italy in the group to determine seeding and as such went to the finals as Europe qualifier 3. Romania faced a tough draw as they were placed in Pool A with hosts South Africa, holders Australia and Canada. As in 1991 Romania were unable to defeat Canada as the Canadians ran out 34-3. A 21-8 loss to South Africa was followed up by a 42-3 loss to Australia, leaving Romania winless, bottom of the pool and eliminated from the World Cup.
1999
Romania were seeded into round B of European qualification and defeated Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and Ukraine to advance to round C. Facing Georgia and Ireland, Romania beat Georgia but lost to Ireland however this was still good enough to advance to the finals. Romania faced Australia, Ireland and USA in Pool 5, and a tough first game against Australia ended in a 57-9 defeat for The Oaks. A close game against the USA saw Romania come out on top 27-25. As in qualifying Romania were well beaten by Ireland and again eliminated from the World Cup at the pool stage.
2003
In Europe qualifying group A, Romania lost their opening game against Italy but recovered to beat Spain and qualify for the finals in Australia. Drawn in Pool A with hosts Australia, Argentina, Ireland and Namibia, Romania started the 2003 World Cup the way they finished the 1999 tournament with a heavy defeat to Ireland going down 45-17. Things went from bad to worse in their second game against Australia, as the Wallabies ran out 90-8 winners, inflicting Romania’s record World Cup defeat. A third heavy defeat, this time to Argentina, meant Romania’s win against Namibia in their final group game was little more than consolation.
2007
Romania were entered into Pool B of the European qualifying tournament after winning the 2004/06 European Nations Cup Division 1. Facing Georgia and Spain, Romania defeated both teams to qualify for the World Cup finals. At the finals The Oaks were drawn in Pool C with Italy, New Zealand, Portugal and Scotland, although Romania’s campaign did not get off to the best of starts as they lost to Italy 24-18, followed by a 42-0 defeat to Scotland. Romania defeated Portugal 14-10, however they were no match for New Zealand as the All Blacks ran rampant inflicting an 85-8 defeat upon The Oaks.
2011
After finishing 3rd in the 2008/10 European Nations Cup Romania faced Ukraine in a home and away tie, winning 94-10 on aggregate to be entered in the repechage tournament. Defeating Tunisia in the preliminary round, Romania then faced Uruguay in a home and away tie with the winner qualifying for the World Cup. After drawing the first leg in Montevideo, Romania won the home leg 39-12 to advance to the finals. Drawn in Pool B with Argentina , England, Georgia and Scotland, Romania got off to an inauspicious start losing 34-24 to Scotland. Heavy defeats to Argentina and England meant even third place and automatic qualification for 2015 was beyond Romania. Georgia beat Romania 25-9, as Romania finished a World Cup without a win for only the second time.
Romania have been a permanent fixture at the Rugby World Cup but are yet to leave a lasting impression on the tournament. Usually good enough to win one game at the tournament, The Oaks do not usually trouble the more established nations with only their 1991 win over Fiji a real scalp. With the 2015 World Cup handing them a pool containing Six Nations sides France, Ireland and Italy as well as the ever improving Canada it will be hard for The Oaks to improve upon their World Cup record.
To read more Rugby World Cup History click here
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