November Internationals – Romania vs Canada – ARN Guide

Canada will close out their season with rematch against Romania, this time in Bucharest. The Maple Leafs overturned a tired Oaks squad in July by a 35-22 margin, but this is a less experienced Canadian side this time around while the Romanians have added to their group.

FORM GUIDE

Current World Ranking: 20 (63.87 points)
2024-11-09 – Romania 25, Tonga 15 (Bucharest)
2024-07-12 – Canada 35, Romania 22 (Ottawa)
2024-07-05 – USA 20, Romania 22 (Bridgeview)
2024-03-17 – Spain 40, Romania 33 (Paris)
2024-03-02 – Georgia 43, Romania 5 (Tbilisi)

Current World Ranking: 22 (59.43 points)
2024-11-09 – Chile 44, Canada 14 (Bucharest)
2024-09-14 – Tonga 30, Canada 17 (Tokyo)
2024-08-31 – USA 28, Canada 15 (Carson)
2024-08-25 – Canada 28, Japan 55 (Vancouver)
2024-07-12 – Canada 35, Romania 22 (Ottawa) 

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

2 Stefan Buruiana replaces Tudor Butnariu
5 Andrei Mahu replaces Stefan Iancu
8 Adrian Mitu replaces Florian Rosu (No6 vs Tonga)
14 Taliauli Sikuea replaces Corrado Stetco
15 Ovidiu Neagu replaces Marius Simionescu (injury)

1 Cali Martinez replaces Cole Keith
4 James Stockwood replaces Kaden Duguid
7 Sion Parry replaces Ethan Fryer (concussion)
9 Brock Gallagher replaces Jason Higgins
13 Mitch Richardson replaces Ben LeSage (injury)
15 Cooper Coats replaces Josiah Morra (No11 vs Chile)

NOTES

• David Gérard has called in four France-based forwards who missed last week’s test against Tonga, with three among the starting lineup… the remainder of the 23 plays in the pro division of Romania’s domestic Liga Nationala… 16 of the match day squad have featured for the Romanian Wolves in this year’s Rugby Europe Super Cup
• highly-rated loose forward Adrian Mitu is among the France-based additions to the Oaks lineup… the 20-year-old nephew of ex-Romania great Petre Mitu missed out on the July tour… Mitu plays for Pro D2 outfit Charente, having previously been part of Top 14 side Pau’s academy program
• incumbent skipper Marius Simionescu is ruled out after being injured last weekend but his replacement as captain Cristi Chirica is no stranger to the on-field leadership role… Chirica led the Oaks during their 2023 World Cup campaign… former captain Ovidiu Cojocaru is among this week’s reserves
• Kingsley Jones has made six alterations to his Canadian side, with more changes on the bench… flanker Ethan Fryer was concussed on the opening kickoff against Chile, while vice-captain Ben LeSage went down early in the second half
• three players are set to make their test debuts as replacements for Canada… loosehead prop Sam Miller, scrumhalf Jesse Kilgour, and outside back Rhys James all play for the Pacific Pride
• the Oaks will hold a significant advantage in experience off the bench… Canada’s eight reserves combine for just 20 test caps… four of Romania’s replacements have equal or higher individual totals

QUOTES

Cristi Chirica (Captain)

“The victory against Tonga gave us more confidence in ourselves. Certainly if we stick to the game plan it will be a nice match against Canada as well, a match we want and must win. We thank those who support us and we are counting on them on Saturday, in as large a number as possible, as it was last Saturday. We need them, their support, it matters a lot to us.”

Kingsley Jones (Head Coach)

“Players have worked really hard this week and are really wanting to improve upon our performance from our tough test last Saturday against Chile. Our roster for Saturday looks different than that from the match in July, as our program works through a number of injuries, but it’s a valuable experience for our young players.”

PREDICTION

Calm but chilly conditions are expected at kickoff, which may benefit the home side. Despite being the visitors Canada have not had to travel during the week having played at the same venue a week ago. The Maple Leafs have lost four straight, however, with their only win of the year against the Oaks in July. Their hosts are an even four wins and four losses, and are coming off a solid win over a Tongan team that eased past the Canadians. Romania are favorites at home in Bucharest.

TEAMS

ROMANIA
1 Alexandru Savin, 2 Stefan Buruiana, 3 Vasile Balan, 4 Nicolaas Immelman, 5 Andrei Mahu, 6 Cristi Boboc, 7 Cristi Chirica (capt.), 8 Adrian Mitu, 9 Alin Conache, 10 Hinckley Voavasa, 11 Tevita Manumua, 12 Jason Tomane, 13 Mihai Graure, 14 Taliauli Sikuea, 15 Ovidiu Neagu

Replacements: 16 Ovidiu Cojocaru, 17 Iulian Hartig, 18 Cosmin Manole, 19 Yanis Horvat, 20 Vlad Neculau, 21 Gabriel Rupanu, 22 Alexandru Bucur, 23 Paul Popoaia

CANADA
1 Cali Martinez, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Conor Young, 4 James Stockwood, 5 Mason Flesch, 6 Matt Heaton, 7 Sion Parry, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Brock Gallagher, 10 Peter Nelson, 11 Nic Benn, 12 Noah Flesch, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Cooper Coats

Replacements: 16 Jesse Mackail, 17 Sam Miller, 18 Tyler Matchem, 19 Callum Botchar, 20 Izzak Kelly, 21 Matthew Oworu, 22 Jesse Kilgour, 23 Rhys James

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, November 16
Venue: Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Kickoff: 18:00 local (08:00 Pacific, 11:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: clear, 39°F (4°C), wind SW 3-5mph (5-8km/h)
Broadcasts: TVR3, YouTube

OFFICIALS

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistants: Saba Abulashvili (Georgia) & Ruaridh Campbell (Scotland)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)

HISTORY

HEAD-TO-HEAD (9): Romania 6, Canada 3
2024-07-12 – Canada 35, Romania 22 (Ottawa)
2017-06-17 – Canada 9, Romania 25 (Edmonton)
2016-11-19 – Romania 21, Canada 16 (Bucharest)
2015-10-06 – Romania 17, Canada 15 (Leicester)
2014-11-22 – Romania 18, Canada 9 (Bucharest)
2013-11-16 – Romania 21, Canada 20 (Bucharest)
2005-11-19 – Romania 22, Canada 20 (Bucharest)
1995-05-26 – Canada 34, Romania 3 (Port Elizabeth)
1991-10-09 – Canada 19, Romania 11 (Toulouse)