E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us

ROMANIA

News | Profile | Anthem | Tickets

Emerging Boks take Nations Cup

Friday 20th June 2008

Emerging South Africa are the IRB Nations Cup 2008 champions after a well-won Final in Bucharest, beating hosts Romania 25-13.

The final stages of the match were played in a torrential rainstorm, which did not dampen the enthusiasm of the public, nor prevent the South Africans from scoring an additional try which denied Romania a bonus point and therefore pushed them into the third position overall, with Georgia, the surprise of the tournament, moving into the silver medal position.

In the first half the South African pack did the necessary in the tight, where they achieved a minimal edge, but were somewhat taken aback by the vivacity of the Romanian forwards in the loose, with the former wing forward Florin Corodeanu, re-cast at lock-forwards and his back-row companions skipper Mersoiu, Burcea and Macovei dominating the exchanges against their highly-rated opponents.

The first to put points on the board were the Romanians, through fly-half Danut Dumbrava, some two minutes into the game. After about 20 minutes of sterile attacks followed by equally fruitless attempts to kick a number of penalties awarded by Italian referee Alan Falzone, South Africa skipper Morgan Newman managed to land a penalty to level the score.

A few moments later an unexpected break put South African full-back Bjorn Basson through for a well-deserved try, converted by Newman. Romania returned to attack and solid South African defence as well as a number of errors prevented Mersoiu and his forwards from reaching the tryline.

In the end, the Romanians had to settle for a penalty, which, with Romania fly-half Dumbrava yellow-carded and off the field for a high tackle, was duly converted by centre Ionut Dimofte.

After the break, well-advised by coach Chester Williams, the South Africans increased the pace and tried to move the ball wide, which failed to surprise the Romanian backs, already marshalled by veteran Romeo Gontineac, winning his 76th cap at centre.

Under pressure the Romanians gave away a penalty - followed by a breakaway try from a scrum near the 10-metre line signed off by the right wing Howard Noble. The try galvanised the Romanians, who attacked with the ball in hand, and after a few penalties near the line, and a yellow card for Emerging South Africa replacement flanker Zolani Mofu, Florin Corodeanu went over for a well-deserved try.

Although there is a long way yet for Romania to sit at the top table of rugby, the progress made from their tame performance in the opening match against Uruguay to the effort in the final against Emerging South Africa, has made a clear statement about their potential and intentions.

The scorers:

For Emerging South Africa:
Tries: Basson, Noble, Jennecker
Cons: Newman 2
Pens: Newman 2

For Romania:
Try: Corodeanu
Con: Dimofte
Pens: Dumbrava, Dimofte

Emerging South Africa: 15 Bjorn Basson, 14 Howard Noble, 13 Justin St Jerry, 12 Morgan Newman (captain), 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Jodie Rose, 9 Warren Malgas, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Devon Raubenheimer, 6 Francois Prinsloo, 5 Nico du Plessis, 4 Cobus Grobler, 3 Philip Lemmer, 2 Jody Jennecker, 1 Sangoni Moxi
Replacements: 16 Greg van Jaarsveldt, 17 Janro van Niekerk, 18 Berend Botha, 19 Zolani Mofu, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Isma-eel Dollie, 22 Richard Lawson

Romania: 15 Adrian Barbuliceanu, 14 Catalin Fercu, 13 Catalin Dascalu, 12 Ionut Dimofte, 11 Stefan Ciuntu, 10 Danut Dumbrava, 9 Florin Surugiu, 8 Costica Mersoiu (captain), 7 Mihai Macovei, 6 Stelian Burcea, 5 Valentin Poparlan, 4 Florin Corodeanu, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Florin Tasca, 1 Radu Basalau
Replacements: 16 Bogdan Zebega, 17 Mihaita Lazar, 18 Alexandru Grigore, 19 Daniel Carpo, 20 Valentin Ivan, 21 Romeo Gontineac, 22 Florin Vlaicu

Referee: Alan Falzone (Italy)
Touch judges: Gustavo Gerbasi (Uruguay), Vladimir Volnik ( Russia)