Pool Cues: Romania’s Opposition at RWC 2015
Back in 2012 when the pool draw was held for Rugby World Cup 2015, the usual suspects were all accounted for: New Zealand; England; South Africa; on down the list, twelve elite rugby nations had their names drawn and were placed snugly into Pools A through D amid much fanfare and analysis. Not until the hype-dust had settled did attention truly shift to the likes of Romania, one of many Tier 2 nations which would compete for the eight remaining RWC invitations.
A storied but underfunded rugby country which has struggled since the onset of professionalism, Romania’s best route to RWC was one of two European qualifying spots. Though these were not technically the only path to rugby’s premier tournament, the alternative was a global repechage, the winner of which could look forward to being placed in Pool A, the vaunted “pool of death” which contained England, Australia, Wales, and Fiji.
Ultimately, Romania steered well clear of such a fate by finishing second in the European Nations Cup in 2014, thereby claiming the second European qualifying spot for RWC 2-15. Instead of the Pool of Death, Romania had earned a place in Pool D alongside France, Ireland, Italy, and Canada.
In spite of this relatively softer landing, Romania almost certainly will be left on the sidelines after the pool stages are over. Nevertheless, the Oaks now have a realistic shot at third place in their pool—and automatic qualification for RWC 2019.
The mission for Romania, then, is to perform well enough that come 2016, they can sit back and enjoy seeing how the other half lives during the draw for RWC 2019 in Japan.
With that in mind, “Pool Cues” will be an ongoing update on how Romania’s Pool D opposition are faring in the buildup to the big event in England.
This week: the Pacific Nations Cup concludes, and the European offseason lingers on for a little while longer.
▪ Canada were once fancied as something of an up-and-coming side, but have had a disastrous record over the last year and a half. Kicking off 2015 with four straight losses and a last-place finish at the recently-concluded Pacific Nations Cup, the Canucks have done nothing to alleviate the worries elicited by a 1-5 record in 2014. While they have remained admirably committed to an energetic style, accuracy across 80 minutes continues to elude the Canadians, and the internal and external pressure continues to escalate.
Next up for Canada: A rematch of the final day of PNC 2015, with a trip to Ottawa to take on the USA.
▪ In February, Ireland completed another hugely successful campaign by capturing their second straight Six Nations title. In spite of all the winning, however, Irish supporters and analysts alike burned up the proverbial airwaves debating the merits of coach Joe Schmidt’s precise, kick-heavy game plan. Is it too conservative to beat the southern hemisphere bogeymen, and too boring for the fans? Or should the recent results trump everything? It’s an argument that will gain steam in one direction or the other as August and September roll on.
Next up for Ireland: Four RWC warm-up matches against UK sides, beginning against Wales on August 8 at Millennium Stadium.
▪ France proved yet again in 2015 that just when the rickety “gallic flair” stereotype looks ready for the dustbin, they’ll find a way to salvage it in the nick of time. Seemingly content to sleepwalk to a middle-of-the-table finish at the Six Nations, France erupted in the final week, exchanging try after glorious try with England in a match described by journalist Owen Slot as “preposterous, brilliant, non-stop [and] nonsensical.” In the end, the final score read 55-35 to England, but les Bleus had served notice that, as ever, only a fool would underestimate them on any given day.
Next up for France: Three World Cup warm-up matches, beginning with a home-and-away set against England starting August 15 at Twickenham.
▪ For Italy it was another season spent on the outside looking in to the group of Tier 1 nations. In fact, after a second consecutive last-place finish at the Six Nations—and some unflattering scorelines along the way—there seems little doubt that the Italians’ encouraging fourth-place finish in 2013 was merely a by-product of French and Irish hiccups that year. Disagreement over World Cup bonus payments this past June also lead to a week-long players’ strike, which only adds to the aura of disarray hanging around the Azzuri these days.
Next up for Italy: Just like their Six Nations competitors, Italy have three warm-up matches in which to fine-tune before the World Cup: home-and-away against Scotland starting August 22, and a visit to Wales in September.
