Romania’s national rugby union team suffered another defeat before participating in the 2023 World Cup away to Georgia with a score of 56-6 (25-6).

Romania lost to Georgia before the Rugby World Cup

The match, which took place at the Mihail Meskhi Stadium, began with a moment of silence in memory of the great Alexandru Penciu, the greatest Romanian defender of all time, who died today, writes News.ro.

Romania made a strong start to the match, attacking from the first minute and forcing the Georgians to make mistakes, so that Ionel Melinte opened the score 3-0 in the 2nd minute with a penalty. Georgia comes back strong, capitalizing on a mis-synchronization between Stedjari, a pass between Fonai and Lama is intercepted by Gela Aprasidze, who puts the ball into the goal area. Matkava converts, 7-3.

The Oaks continue their good momentum and take the game to the Georgian 22, building attack after attack, forcing a try, but Lelos defends very well, managing to clear the ball. It was Georgia’s turn to attack, press and Matkava converted another penalty to extend the lead, 10-3. Gela Aprasidze scores three points again with a free kick from more than 50 meters away from the goal post midway through the first half as Georgia leads 13-3. Romania stay in the game building attack after attack, Stears’ efforts were rewarded with a penalty converted by Melinte, 13-6.

Before entering the dressing room, Georgia scores twice more, the first time again taking advantage of the mistakes of the “Oaks” defense, Aprasidze collects the ball well, passes to Matkava, who perfectly opens Sharikadze, who scores an essay. Matkava converts, 20-6. The second attempt comes from a mole on the edge, its action is concretized by scorer Chkoidze. Matkava misses, 25-6, halftime.

The second half was completely dominated by the Georgians, who scored five more times. Lelos started strongly, scoring in the very first action, which was created by Matkava, who changed direction, beat two players, and then opened Mikheil Gachechiladze, who jumped into the goalkeeper’s area. The same Matkava converts, 32-6.

Two minutes later, Modebatse makes an impressive run, a drop pass, the ball goes to Tapladze, who scores again, Matkawa converts, 39-6. Lelos continues the offensive and scores another essay through Matkava, 44-6. In the last 10 minutes, the Georgians increased the deficit with two more attempts, only one was realized, one was scored by Mirian Modebadze, respectively, by Vasyl Lobzhanidze.

The Oaks also lost a 31-17 (19-0) friendly against the USA a week ago.

The program of the Romanian national team in group B of the Rugby World Cup

Romania – Ireland / September 9, Bordeaux

Romania – South Africa / September 17, Bordeaux

Romania – Scotland / September 30, Lille

Romania – Tonga / October 8, Lille.