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These two proud rugby nations are in full rebuild mode but did not expect to have had the tournament they have both endured. Both were able to breeze through the group stage to RWC qualification, even after a stiff challenge in their first matches. But after that Romania finished their group with a defeat to Portugal, without ever looking in the game. Then had to go to Georgia and again didn’t inspire much hope there either. Have they already settled for 4th spot in the tournament, while in the rebuild phase?
Having been in Lisbon for the Iberian Derby, I witnessed first hand the ambition and expectation that this Portuguese team have. However, as admitted but Tomas Appleton after the game. They may have been too confident for the game in front of them, and expected they had done the job already. They will review the tournament and be the first to admit that complacency has definitely hampered them throughout this tournament. However, they should be perfectly placed to secure 3rd today and put a real score line on a Romanian side that is a shadow of their former selves.
Portugal will be relieved to see the return of Hooker Luka Begic, who was missed in the Iberian Derby. They will be looking to get their lineout attack back on track and really put the Romanians under pressure again like they did in the last group stage game. A switch in the row sees Steevy Cerqueira and Martim Bello pair up. Jose Madeira moves to 6 and Nicolas Martin is the only one to survive from the back row against Spain. Vasco Baptista comes in at 8, after a strong performance previously against Romania too. The Backs only have 1 change in there with Jose Lima moving to 12 and taking the captains armband from Tomas Appleton. While Gabriel Aviragnet comes in at 13. A few tweaks to the bench as well to set up Los Lobos for another match up against Romania.
Portugal Starting XV (1-15) David da Costa, Luka Begic, Diogo Ferreira, Steevy Cerqueira, Martim Belo, Jose Madeira, Nicolas Martins, Vasco Baptista, Hugo Camacho, Manuel Vareiro, Diogo Rodrigues, Jose Lima, Gabriel Aviragnet, Raffaele Storti, Simao Bento
Portugal Replacements (16-23) Abel da Cunha, Nuno Mascarenhas, Cody Thomas, Antonio Andrade, Diego Pinheiro, Joao Granate, Antonio Campos, Joris Moura
Romania will be hoping their discipline doesn’t let them down again, having fell apart in their previous fixture to Portugal after a number of yellow cards and penalties. Alexandru Savin returns at Loosehead, accompanied by Stefan Buruiana at Hooker. Nicolaas Immelman comes into 2nd row to partner with the ever present Andrei Mahu. The Back row remains unchanged from the Georgia clash. The back line returns familiar faces, Alin Conache returns to 9. Hinckley Vaovasa comes into 10, Taliauli Sikuea takes the 11 shirt, Taylor Gontineac partners Mihai Graure in the centres. While Iliesa Tiqe and Captain Marius Simionescu retain their spots and complete the back line. A few changes to the bench, set up a strong Romanian side that look like they are going for a physical backs attack to stifle the rapid Portuguese backline.
Romania Starting XV (1-15) Alexandru Savin, Stefan Buruiana, Gheorghe Gajion, Nicolaas Immelman, Andrei Mahu, Matt Tweddle, Cristi Boboc, Adrian Mitu, Alin Conache, Hinckley Vaovasa, Sikuea Taliauli, Taylor Gontineac, Mihai Graure, Iliesa Tiqe, Marius Simionescu
Romania Replacements (16-23) Tudor Butnariu, Iulian Hartig, Cosmin Manole, Adrian Motoc, Florian Rosu, Gabriel Rupanu, Paul Popoaia, Marius Iftimiciuc
I don’t see it being Romanias day to beat Portugal but expect them to put up more of a battle than they did in the group. However, Portugal will be bang up for revenge and to make a statement after taking their eye off the ball in the Iberian Derby. I expect a similar score line to the group stage match and Portugal to win by more than 30 points today.
