Romania have become the 20th and final qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2011 after beating Uruguay 39-12 before a passionate and vocal home crowd at the stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest on Saturday. The two sides had been tied at 21-21 after the first leg in Montevideo a fortnight ago, but Romania produced an impressive display to take their place in New Zealand alongside Argentina, England, Scotland and Georgia in Pool B.
Romania were off and running after nine minutes when Csaba Gal scored and Fly half Dan Dumbrava added the extras. Three minutes later and Alain Rolland awarded the home side a penalty try 14-0. Things got worse for Uruguay, when second row Diego Magno was sin-binned in the 22nd minute and Romania quickly made the man advantage count, number 8 Alexandru Manta touching down, Dumbrava added the conversion and the score remained at 21-0 to half-time.
The second period and it was vital that Uruguay got the next score if there was to be any way back, but instead it was Romania with a Dumbrava penalty to increase their advantage. Uruguay did finally get themselves on the scoreboard with centre Martin Crosa’s try, but there was to be no comeback to savour, Romania wing Catalin Fercu touching down for the home side’s fourth try. Replacement Ivo Dugonjic scored a second try for Uruguay, but there was still time on the clock for Romania to score again in the corner through Madalin Lemnaru, his fellow replacement Valentin Calafeteanu curling in the conversion and then adding a late penalty. For the final score of:
Romania 39-12 Uruguay