The Rise and Fall of Romanian Rugby

Pisco Sour

Facinating article here

http://www.heavensgame.com/national-rugby-news/romania-rugby-news/the-rise-and-fall-of-romanian-rugby.html



RUGBY
THE RISE AND FALL OF ROMANIAN RUGBY
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Written by James Mortimer
Thursday, 27 August 2009

As a rugby nation, the South Eastern nation in Europe has been on the cusp of being at the very least, a leading tier two nation; although their results last century were indicative of a sleeping giant.

In close to 350 international matches, the “Oaks” as they are known, have competed in every Rugby World Cup, and are currently ranked 19th in the IRB world rankings.



But it is when we look at their international scalps that we see the apparent strength that for so long was evident before factors outside of sport essentially hamstrung any chance the nation had for long term international success.

Romania as a country has arguably made more reforms to their political and economic landscape than any other nation in the world in the last decade – having a chairman on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2001, being admitted to NATO in 2004, and becoming a full member of the EU in 2007.

Hopefully this development outside rugby can catch up to the game.

Romania had a brilliant early relationship with France, with middle and upper class students returning from studies in Paris bringing rugby balls, which would lead to a sporting evolution and a massive spark in interest.

In 1913, the first Romanian rugby clubs were formed, which would lead to a thriving club championship, which still exists in the guide of the Divizia Nationala (a 12 team first league), the Divizia A (10 teams second league) as well age grade competitions.

The bulk of these clubs are based in Bucharest, the nation’s capital.

Ironically, their domestic structure is stronger than some tier one nations such as Australia.

Romania officially played their international match against the United States in 1919, which they lost 0-21. Five years later they would begin a long rivalry with France, playing them in 1924 but losing to the established rugby nation by 59-3.

That same year, Romania would enter the 1924 Olympics in Paris, and would win bronze. However, there would be only three teams in the competition, with France losing to the United States in the “final”.

Romania’s first official international win would be against Czechoslovakia in 1927, where they would win 21-5.

Four years later, the Federaţia Română de Rugby (Romanian Rugby Federation or FRR) would be formed. That same year – in 1931 – France would be suspended from playing other International Rugby Board members, and would later form FIRA (Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur) including Romania as a foundation member.

However, it would not be until 1987 that Romania would officially become part of the International Rugby Board.

In the following decades, French coaches would become a crucial foundation for the development of Romanian rugby, and the game would thrive under the autocratic regimes of first Nazi Germany, and then eventually the old Soviet Union.

Between 1947 to 1965, Romania would be referred to as the People’s Republic of Romania, and from 1965 till 1989 would be the Socialist Repulic of Romania. Essentially the country would be a communist state for this 42 year period.

Ironically, as events outside of rugby had but a decade ago essentially crippled rugby, such events in the mid-twentieth century would lay the foundations for Romanian rugby to embark on what was essentially a golden age.

Although not officially confirmed, communism used rugby as a propoganda style tool, and elite rugby players were given preferential treatment in society, given access to the finest training facilities and living conditions.

In 1960, this would be recognised with their first victory over a major power, beating France 11-5. Two years later they would beat both France and Ireland, as Romania began to carve themselves a rugby niche.

Their success against Italy holds well to this day, winning 16 of 41 clashes between the two nations.

In 1976 they would embark on their first major tour, travelling to New Zealand, where they would record a famous 10-10 draw against the New Zealand Juniors. For the next two years they would embark on a still standing record 13 match winning streak.

In 1979 they would travel to Arms Park, and only a drop goal from Gareth Davies would salvage a narrow 13-12 win for Wales.

Romania was at its zenith when in 1980 they smashed France 15-0, and the following year would host a full strength All Blacks team and lose 14-6, but be denied two contentious tries.

In 1983 they would thump Eddie Butlers Welsh team 24-6, the same year that the home unions began to award international caps for matches against Romania.

In the late eighties, the fall of communism would have a dramatic impact on rugby in Romania, with many of the countries top club players linked to state police and army organisations, so when the revolution occured in 1989, many top players lost their lives.

Including their then captain, Florica Murariu.

They would defy this for the next couple of years, beating France in Paris 12-6, Scotland 18-12, and then beating Fiji 17-15 at the 1991 World Cup. In 1995, they would go down 8-21 to eventual World Champions South Africa.

However, as the countries economic situation detoriated, thanks largely to the controversies suffered under Nicolae Ceauşescu and communism, Romanian rugby would all but fall under the advent of professionalism.

A huge amount of rugby players, coaches and administrators moved to the greener pastures of western europe, and as a consequence playing numbers and clubs almost halved in the next five years.

Throughout the ninties the country would be devastated economically, and Romanian rugby would suffer its lowest ebb in 2001, suffering their biggest test defeat to England 134-0, and their strongest club, Dinamo Bucharest, would lose 151-0 to Saracens.

Here, Romanian rugby slowly began to be dragged from the cellar.

They began to revive themselves in the European Nations Cup, winning it in 2002, and again in 2006.

When the IRB implemented the Nations cup as part of its strategic global investment strategy, Romania would find themselves again competing against regular top level competition.

They would record a proud loss against the emerging Springboks 13-25 in 2008, and would lose to France A 16-20 this year. As part of this same investment strategy, the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy would commence in 2008, with Romania winning it this year in Kenya.

Last year they would embark on their first major tour in years, visiting New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, albeit without a match to a test side.

While they are beginning to reap the benefits of their economy becoming stronger and participating more regularly in tournaments, key to their success will be the re-introduction of regular matches against top nations, which still lag in frequency from their halcyon days of greatness.

They played France in 2006 (losing 62-14) and Ireland in 2005 (losing 43-12) but have not since played a major test power outside of a World Cup.

There last match against a tier one nation was the All Blacks in 2007, losing 85-8.

In this, it seems that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Both George Straton, President of the Romanian Rugby Federation, and Ellis Meachen, the Romanian Director of Rugby, have implemented a “New Zealand style” to their team (as quoted by the Romania Rugby Union).

Meachen, a former New Zealand colt’s selectors and advisor, is getting the Romanians to move away from the French style and structure, which has been in place since the turn of the century.

Their last period of success in the early nineties was largely due to Ross Cooper ( a former Waikato coach) and the powers within the Romanian rugby structure believe that New Zealanders remain the most qualified to take the team forward to success in 2011 and beyond.

Their global strategy is that the dominant percentage of Romanian players comes from within their own domestic ranks, with close to 80% of their recent teams consisting of local players.

Adding to the New Zealand influence is Steve McDowell, a 46 capped All Black and World Cup winner in 1987, who deals with the physical training, and Murray Roulston, who has worked with both the Hurricanes and Highlanders, as a technical advisor.

There are also two New Zealanders, Ben Aoina and Zane Winsdale who qualify for Romanian citizenship and may represent the Oaks in the future.

It has been a long and difficult road for Romanian rugby, but the future is beginning to look bright again. Key for their success will be continued results at the second tier competitions they are involved throughout (Nations Cup, Junior World Trophy, European challenge cup) and use that targeted achievement as a springboard for future major competition.

Or perhaps even become the new addition to the “Seven Nations?”

They certainly have the history, as well as a wonderful slogan “Through our veins flow oval cells!”

Romanian Rugby Hierarchy

Ellis Meachen – director of rugby (since 2008)
Steve McDowall – physical trainer (since June 2008)
Murray Roulston – technical consultant (in August 2008)
Marin Mot – Head Coach
Alexandru Marin – Assistant Coach

Romania's victories at the RWC
1987: Romania 21 Zimbabwe 20 (at Eden Park)
1991: Romania 17 Fiji 15 (at Stade Municipal, Brive)
1999: Romania 27 USA 25 (at Lansdowne Road)
2003: Romania 37 Namibia 7 (at York Park, Launceston)
2007: Romania 14 Portugal 10 (at Stade Municipal, Toulouse)

Rugby in Romania

Rugby Players – 7,000
Rugby Clubs – 65
Referees : 135

First international game

1919, Romania 0 USA 21

Notable games

Romania 15 France 0 (1980 at Bucharest)
Wales 9 Romania 15 (1988 at Arms Park)
Romania 28 Scotland 22 (1984 at Bucharest)
Romania 18 Scotland 12 (1991 at Bucharest)
Ireland 13 Romania 13 (1980 at Lansdowne Road)
Romania 69 Italy 69 (1977 at Bucharest),

First club game: 1913
Current club champions: Dinamo Bucharest
Club Honours: Grivita Rosie – 1964 European Rugby Cup champions, Dinamo Bucharest - 1966 European Rugby Cup champions

Divizia Nationala (first division teams)
Dinamo Gaz Sud Bucharest, RCJ Farul Constanta, CS Universitatea Cluj, CSM Olimpia Bucharest, Bucovina Suceava, CFR CSU Brasov, CSM U Baia Mare, RCM Timisoara, Cleopatra Constanta, Poli Agronomia Iaşi, RC Bârlad

Pisco Sour

Crazy that Ireland didnt award caps for games against Romania until 1984 considering we had lost to them some 20 years prior to that. Also not a lot of people realise that Romania also came to thomand park 2 years after the All Blacks win and absolutely thumped Munster. Around 35-9 or some scoreline similar to that.

A travesty that Romanian Rugby was allowed to die like that. I doubt it will ever grow back to where it was.

Its good to see them making some kind of comeback.The combined Bucharest team have done well in the Euro Challenge Cup in recent season giving a game to anyone especially at home.Can't see them getting up near 6n level in the medium term.They have some good forwards playing in France but have a real lack of creativity in the backline.Portugal,Georgia etc. look to be gaining ground faster than them though.

pappyodaniel

Wow a 69 all draw against Italy, what a game!

69 har har.

Digifriendly

Fiji website says that they beat Romania 29-18 with Fijians missing some of their European stars. BTW I can remember watching Romania play a NZ Under 21 team on ITV in 1991 when they lost quite heavily. As this was a RWC year ITV must have shown this game as a lead up to the autumn tournament.

Pisco Sour

Digifriendly wrote: »

Fiji website says that they beat Romania today but can't get score. BTW I can remember watching Romania play a NZ Under 21 team on ITV in 1991 when they lost quite heavily. As this was a RWC year ITV must have shown this game as a lead up to the autumn tournament.

The AB's beat Romania 14-6 in the mid 80's with Romania controversially being denied 2 legitimate tries. Quite amazing when you think about how much they get hammered by these days.

Stev_o

04072511 wrote: »

The AB's beat Romania 14-6 in the mid 80's with Romania controversially being denied 2 legitimate tries. Quite amazing when you think about how much they get hammered by these days.

Not really, back in the 80's the would of been the only professional side in world rugby, having better training and conditioning then any other national side in the world at the time.