Romania may have been drawn in what has been referred to as the ‘Pool of Death’, but The Oaks remain confident they can spring a surprise at Rugby World Cup 2003.
Team manager Florin Campeanu, in an interview with the Planet-Rugby website, explained Romania are “waiting for a victory” against Namibia in Pool A, which also features world champions Australia, Argentina and Ireland.
“We want to give the world a surprise,” Campeanu said. “We want to play good rugby and show that rugby in Romania is still alive. We know we are in a difficult pool, but we want to play good rugby.”
Captain Romeo Gontineac, who is preparing for his third Rugby World Cup, echoed Campeanu’s sentiments.
“We expect to beat Namibia, but hope to spring a surprise," he says. "We realise we are in the ‘Pool of Death’, but we are happy to be here and hope for a good World Cup.”
Romania arrived in Australia for their fifth Rugby World Cup appearance on Wednesday, arriving in Sydney via London and Bangkok, and are now based in Newcastle on the Central Coast.
They open their Rugby World Cup campaign against Ireland at the Central Coast Stadium in Gosford on 11 October.
Romania then play Australia in Brisbane on 18 October, Argentina in Sydney on 22 October and Namibia in Launceston on 30 October.