Romania out to settle old score with England

Cristian Petre will be hoping for a better outcome in his 84th Test than his debut match when Romania play England at Otago Stadium on Saturday evening.

The 115kg second row spent most the November 2001 match watching England score tries aplenty in a 134-0 rout.

Saturday's match will be only Petre's second appointment with the Englishmen in 10 years and the forward said of the first: “It was at Twickenham and we had very bad defence and the players put their hands down.

“The union board was changing at that time and some of the players were not happy with the coach.

“I was very disappointed that my debut game did not turn out so well. I would have hoped to win or at least have a good match.”

The Oaks have yet to register a point following losses to Scotland (34-24) and Argentina (43-8) and desperately need to salvage pride against England in the Pool B clash.

Consistent performer

Despite the defeats, Petre - 1.97m-tall and, fittingly given his team's nickname, built like an oak tree - was happy with his performances and said his play was consistent.

Petre is Romania's most-capped player with 83 appearances and asked whether he thought he could become the first to 100 for his country, the 32-year-old joked: "I hope to be in London for the next World Cup.”

That would be his fourth RWC appearance, but bantering aside, Petre said while England 2015 could be a step too far, he still had the zeal for a tilt at the magic number. “I will try to become the first Romanian to 100.”

On prospects for Saturday, Petre said: “I hope we have a good match against England and at least play to the same level as Georgia.”

Petre, who has signed for another year at French club St Etienne, rates Romania's 39-12 win over Uruguay last November to qualify for RWC 2011 as one of his best moments on the international stage. “That and a win in Bucharest against a very bad Russia (33-3 in February 2011).”