Romanian sights on revenge

Romania will be aiming to make amends for past failings in their Rugby World Cup 2011 opener against Scotland at Rugby Park Stadium on Saturday.

The Romanians are still haunted by their 2007 World Cup ordeal, when they fell 42-0 to the Scots.

"I have a bad memory of that experience," said Romanian tighthead prop Paulica Ion.

"Even though the 2007 Rugby World Cup was in France, that match was in Edinburgh, on their home field.

"So that's the first target for us here - Scotland."

Whether Romania, ranked 17th, can use that determination to lift their performance is dependent on The Oaks' mindset, says technical coach Steve McDowall.

"These guys have the ability; it's a little bit like a switch," he said.

Another level

"When they know it's an important match, the guys step up another two or three levels and they have the ability to play above themselves."

The Oaks' front and back rows against the seventh-ranked Scots will be buoyed by the return of key players from injury. Back row Ovidiu Tonita and prop Mihaita Lazar have come in from the sidelines to support their vastly experienced captain Marius Tincu.

Tincu, a hooker, scored three tries during the last edition of the Rugby World Cup, including one against the All Blacks in a lopsided 85-8 defeat.

But before The Oaks can even attempt to ground the ball in Scottish territory, Romania will have a difficult time matching Scotland's speed.

"They like to play a fast game and it will be hard for us," said coach Romeo Gontineac.
"But we will not drop the guns for this match."

Robinson's roll call

On the Scottish side, head coach Andy Robinson has made eight changes to the team roster that inflicted a 23-12 loss on Italy in August.

The front row from that match has been replaced, while Richie Gray comes in for Nathan Hines in the second row. In the backs, only scrum half Mike Blair and wings Simon Danielli and Max Evans are retained.

"We've got to take into consideration all the games," said Robinson. "The World Cup is a long competition."

Glasgow centre Graeme Morrison was also not selected for the opener, a move that betrays Scotland's assessment of their Romanian opponents.

Morrison was said to have "picked up a little knock at training", but Robinson also intends to save the best for later.

"We want him to play the second game," he said.

No repeat of 2007

Romania are adamant the match will not be a repeat of the 2007 scoreline.

"It's definitely not going to be the same," said Gontineac, who was a centre on that fateful day.

Robinson concedes Romania, bolstered by Perpignan pair Tonita and Tincu and London Irish prop Ion, are not the pushovers they once were.

"I think Romania will target a number of areas, not just the scrum. The lineout and the contact area," he said.

"The focus for us is to see how we perform against Romania."
Scotland and Romania kick off their Pool B match at Rugby Park Stadium on Saturday at 13:00.