Monday, August 20, 2007

Rugby World Cup 2007: Romania Squad

Rugby world cup 2007 is going to be started from 7 September in France. This is the sixth rugby world cup tournament. Defending champion England and runner up Australia are also favorites for the coming world cup. Two former champions New Zealand and South Africa are also strong contenders in Rugby world cup 2007. Wales looks strong to challenge the others.

Romania is also a well known name in the rugby world. They have played in all of the five previous world cup tournaments. However, they could not ever go beyond pool stage. Recently Romania has declared their final 30 man squad for Rugby world cup 2007. Rugby coach of Romania Daniel Santamans has chosen an experienced side. 15 out of 30 members of the squad have world cup experience.

Romeo Gontineac is going to be the only Romanian to be playing his fourth world cup in the upcoming world cup. In 2003 world cup in Australia, Gontineac captained his side as well. Four veterans- Petru Balan, Razvan Mavrodin, Gabriel Brezoianu and Ionut Tofan are going to play their third world cup.

Romania will have some advantage in Rugby world cup 2007 because many players of the squad play in domestic tournaments of France. So, they will easily be able to adjust with the environment. Romania will in pool C where they will face former champion New Land, Italy, Portugal and Scotland.

I am giving the list of the squad members from the official website of rugby world cup below:

Forwards (16): Petru Balan, Bogdan Balan, Cezar Popescu, Petrisor Toderasc, Silviu Florea, Marius Tincu, Razvan Mavrodin, Sorin Socol (Captain), Cristian Petre, Valentin Ursache, Augustin Petrichei, Ovidiu Tonita, Florin Corodeanu, Cosmin Ratiu, Alexandru Manta, Alexandru Tudori.

Backs (14): Valentin Calafeteanu, Lucian Sirbu, Ionut Dimofte, Ionut Tofan, Romeo Gontineac, Csaba Gal, Gabriel Brezoianu, Dan Vlad, Catalin Fercu, Ioan Teodorescu, Catalin Nicolae, Iulian Dumitras, Florin Vlaicu, Danut Dumbrava.

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