Portuguese promise could bring victory

Portugal have a realistic chance of grabbing the first World Cup victory in their history when they take on Romania in a Pool C battle of the minnows in Toulouse tomorrow.

The Portuguese amateurs showed in the 31-5 defeat to Italy in Paris last week that they are a well-organised bunch, and they have improved defensively as the tournament has gone on.

It has not stopped them slipping to three successive defeats, two of them - against New Zealand and Scotland – being heavy.

But they will eye the clash with Romania as a great opportunity to get a win on their board on their World Cup debut.

The Romanians surrendered meekly to Scotland in their last game, losing 42-0 at Murrayfield to add to their 24-18 defeat to Italy in their opener.

And the eastern Europeans, who have won 11 of the past 12 meetings with Portugal, have made sweeping changes to their team for tomorrow’s match.

Coach Daniel Santamans has made four personnel changes in the backs, while Ionut Dimofte switches from fly-half to centre and Catalin Fercu swaps wings.

In their pack, only prop Bogdan Balan, lock Cristian Petre, flanker Alexandru Manta and number eight Ovidiu Tonita are retained.

In the absence of benched second-rower Sorin Socol, Tonita is handed the captain’s armband.

The Portuguese, meanwhile, have made just three personnel changes for their final group match but are without captain Vasco Uva, who suffered a broken hand against Italy.

He is replaced by Diogo Coutinho, who moves to flanker with Tiago Girao switching to number eight.

The other alterations see Miguel Portela – normally a centre – come in on the wing and Joaquim Ferreira replace Joao Correira at hooker.

In Uva’s absence, Ferreira has been made captain for the final match of his career.

“I know that it will be my last match, but I don’t want to think a lot about that,” he said.

“I have to just concentrate on the game because it will be very important for us.

“But it is a dream that my last match will be in the World Cup.”

Lock Goncalo Uva – the brother of Vasco – is desperate to claim a win for his sibling, who has been arguably Portugal’s best player in the tournament.

“All the team are very sad because he is a very important player,” said the second-row forward.

“He is the captain and also he is my brother. We will try to win against Romania as a gift to him. He deserves that.”

Romania have won the last three matches against Portugal, whose last victory against their fellow Europeans came in 2003 with a 16-15 triumph in Lisbon.

The Romanians’ biggest success over Tomaz Morais’ side was a 92-0 thrashing back in 1996.

Socol, who is being rested for Romania’s last group game – against New Zealand in Toulouse on Saturday, is expecting a tough game.

“Portugal have made progress in the last three years,” said the Pau lock. “We can see the difference and it will not be easy.

“Also, Portugal is close to France so there will probably be lots of Portuguese in the stadium.”