Romania stuns Canada with 17-15 comeback win at RWC

Only 13 games in Rugby World Cup history have ever seen fewer points in the opening 40 minutes.

The players could be forgiven for struggling to contain their celebrations after a pulsating contest at Leicester City Stadium, which was settled by Romania’s Florin Vlaicu kicking a penalty three minutes from time.

A spirited Canadian defence held out on wave after wave of Romanian attacks but then lost flanker Jebb Sinclair to the sin-bin in the 71st minute when he collapsed a maul.

“We need to play Tier 1 countries, our decision makers (on the field) need to be at a club where they’re given decision-making games”.

For Canada, this is a huge blow after seeing their hopes of a win ripped from them by in-discipline, but for Romania this victory will live long in the memory, and they take the momentum with them towards their last game against Italy on Sunday.

Canada increased the lead when McRorie fed Hassler at the Romanian 22-metre line and the big winger bowled his way in from there, Nathan Hirayama made the conversion and Canada had a 15-0 lead. “It is a credit to everyone involved, albeit frustrating that we haven’t got a result in at least one of those matches”, he said.

A couple of minutes later Macovei peeled off a scrum and scored his second try.

The victory is Romania’s first of the tournament and gives them the chance to finish third in Pool D, which would secure automatic qualification for the tournament in Japan in 2019.

“We came here with high ambitions and wanted to get one or two scalps in the first three games”. A calm Vlaicu stepped up to send the ball through the middle of the uprights giving Romania an incredible come from behind win.

Canada’s DTH Van Der Merwe feels the force of Romania’s Florin Vlaicu.

However, from then on it was all Romania.

On the eve of the Pool D encounter, Canada coach Kieran Crowley reflected on the tournament and one match stood out: the 23-18 loss to Italy, where the Canadians failed to capitalize on a 10-0 lead. “We just have to get better”.

The Canadians will rue being unable to make the most of the string of scoring chances in the first half and the inaccuracy with the boot of scrumhalf Gordon McRorie, who missed two penalties and a conversion.

Captain Fantastic: Mihai Macovei scores his second try.

It was scrappy early on, not helped by the wet conditions caused by a downpour before kickoff.

Wasteful Romania – Oaks centre Paula Kinikinilau thought he had scored a try in the 64th minute but play was brought back as he crossed the line for a knock-on by Valentin Poparlan. His next long-range effort missed, too, but he was saving his best for last.

There was no time left for a dejected Canada to respond as Romanian players poured onto the pitch at full-time to celebrate a superb victory. “There’s a limit. They’ll have a beer but it won’t be to a great extent”.