Romania concentrate on defence

ROMANIA look set to go back to basics and batten down the hatches in Gosford's Central Coast Stadium tomorrow.

Under French coach Bernard Charreyre, the eastern Europeans have attempted to play a more expansive game than the forward-dominated one made famous by their predecessors from the 1960s to the 1980s. However, two heavy warm-up losses to Wales and France may have played a part in Charreyre plumping for a return to what they know best against Eddie O'Sullivan's side.

"Because Ireland are so strong we have to look firstly to our defence, we must concentrate on our defence and tackle very well," stressed the 53-year coach. "It's important we tackle well, both as individuals and as a team.

"Ireland are a complete rugby team. All 30 of their players are strong, whether they are in the forward line or the backline. We will have to be on top of our game, every one of our players will need to play to his best.

"We are aware of Ireland's strengths as a team and individually but we have to concentrate on ourselves. It is essential that we concentrate on every single detail for this game or we will be punished every time."

Tomorrow's clash will be the fifth in five years between the teams and in that time Ireland have dished out some serious punishment to the 'Oaks' with the only real competitive fixture being a credible 53-35 loss in Dublin in 1998 when they were outscored by seven tries to five.

Any suggestion that such recent meetings will help Romania prepare for the fixture was brushed aside by Charreyre, though who is refusing to treat this as any different to the other assignments against more unfamiliar opponents later in the tournament.

"No, it will not be much of a factor. We have many video tapes of all of the big teams in this group Australia, Argentina and Ireland who we play in our first three games. All of these games will be equally difficult for us and we will treat them the same. They are all teams at the top of the world rankings and what we have to prove is that Romania still exists as a rugby nation and as a rugby team."

Indeed, that may very well stand as Romania's motto for RWC 2003 the need to re-establish their credentials. A once proud rugby nation was left on its knees after a 134-0 loss to Twickenham in 2001 and while the arrival of Charreyre buttressed crumbling morale, the Romanians are setting their sights higher than ever before.

"For us it is a big opportunity to prove that we still mean something as a rugby nation at this moment," said manager Florin Campeanu. "The games against Australia and Argentina are games that can do something for our image to prove that this eastern European country still has a role to play in world rugby.

"We are talking about ambition and realistic ambition here and our goal is to play in the Six Nations and make it the Seven Nations in two, five or ten years time. This is our project but you have to do it in steps. If you do this properly your goal will come to you and at the moment the goal is to play some high-quality rugby a modern, new rugby.

"You have to remember that last year Italy beat Romania in Italy only by a very small difference. That shows we are progressing in a good way, but we have to keep our direction."

That has been easier said than done of course. Romania travelled to Australia without eight senior players, including former captains Alin Petrache, Peter Mitu and Alexandro Manta, due to a spate of injuries and complications with players' clubs.

Lock forward Sorin Socal was quoted recently as saying that he decided to change clubs rather than miss the World Cup and flanker Florin Corodeanu even accepted a pay cut to make the trip down under.

To Romania's credit, they aren't making a song and a dance about it, preferring instead to work with what is available to them. "We have in the team now players who deserve to be in the squad for this World Cup," said Charreyre. "They have done many things for Romania and Romanian rugby in the last year and they are all very keen to be here in the squad and keen to do well.

"Of course I am disappointed for the players who are absent but I am happy for the players who have come in. They now have the chance to integrate into the team. Now they must prove that they can compete at the top level."

Charreyre hasn't long left to find out just what the new boys can do.