Romania rally to down Canada

As it happened: Canada v Romania

Canada dominated the first half with over 60% of the possession and territory but could only score through winger DTH van der Merwe, his fourth try of the tournament. Gordon McRorie added a penalty for Canada to lead 8-0 at half-time.

Canada extended their lead early in the second half after winger Jeff Hassler dotted down. The try was converted by flyhalf Nathan Hirayama for a 15-0 lead. 

Finally, Romania were spurred into action, using their powerful pack to excellent effect, forcing a rolling maul over from over 20m out. Captain Mihai Macovei was credited with the score which centre Florin Vlaicu converted. 

A spirited Canadian defence held out on wave after wave of Romanian attacks but then lost flanker Jebb Sinclair to the sin-bin in the 71st minute when he collapsed a maul. Macovei forced his way over for his second of the match, again converted by Vlaicu. The Canadians now lead by a single point with six minutes left on the clock. 

The loss of Sinclair took its toll as a massive Romanian scrum then a penalty on the Canadian 10m line. A calm Vlaicu stepped up to send the ball through the middle of the uprights giving Romania an incredible come from behind win.

Scorers

Canada 

Tries: DTH vd Merwe, Jeff Hassler

Penalty: Gordon McRorie

Conversion: Nathan Hirayama

Romania

Tries: Mihai Macovei (2)

Penalty: Florin Vlaicu

Conversion: Florin Vlaicu (2)

Teams

Canada:

15 Harry Jones, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Nick Blevins, 11 DTH Van Der Merwe, 10 Nathan Hirayama, 9 Gordon McRorie, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 John Moonlight, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Jamie Cudmore (captain), 4 Brett Beukeboom, 3 Doug Wooldridge, 2 Ray Barkwill, 1 Hubert Buydens

Replacements: 16 Benoit Piffero, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Jake Ilnicki, 19 Kyle Gilmour, 20 Nanyak Dala, 21 Phil Mack, 22 Conor Trainor, 23 James Pritchard

Romania:

15 Catalin Fercu, 14 Madalin Lemnaru, 13 Paula Kinikinilau, 12 Florin Vlaicu, 11 Ionut Botezatu, 10 Michael Wiringi, 9 Florin Surugiu, 8 Mihai Macovei (captain), 7 Viorel Lucaci, 6 Valentin Ursache, 5 Johannes van Heerden, 4 Valentin Poparlan, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Otar Turashvili, 1 Mihaita Lazar

Replacements: 16 Andrei Radoi, 17 Andrei Ursache, 18 Alexandru Tarus, 19 Daniel Carpo, 20 Stelian Burcea, 21 Valentin Calafeteanu, 22 Adrian Apostol, 23 Csaba Gal