Romania’s victory over Canada in men’s international rugby play on Saturday was fueled by scrum half Alin Conache, who scored 16 points. The match, held at the Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, is anticipated to push Canada down in the world rankings by at least one spot.
Next, Canada is set to face off against Georgia, ranked 11th, in Batumi, followed by a match against Portugal, ranked 20th, in Coimbra on November 22. Georgia secured a win over the 15th-ranked U.S. Eagles earlier on the same day in Batumi.
In the game, Romania’s Ovidiu Cojocaru, Cristi Chirică, and Tevita Manumua scored tries, with Conache contributing four penalties and two conversions. On the other side, Mason Flesch, Piers Von Dadelszen, and Barnaby Waddell scored tries for Canada, who had two players sidelined in the second half. Peter Nelson managed three conversions for Canada.
Romania has dominated the historical matchup against Canada, holding an 8-3-0 record. The Oaks have emerged victorious in eight of the last nine encounters, with Canada’s sole recent win being a 35-22 triumph at Ottawa’s TD Place Stadium in July 2024. Notably, Canada’s other wins over Romania were at the 1991 and 1995 World Cups.
Canada faced a tough challenge from the start, trailing early and struggling to regain momentum throughout the match. Romania took an early lead through Conache’s penalties, building up a significant advantage by the half.
Despite Canada’s efforts to narrow the gap, Romania maintained control and extended their lead through well-executed plays, ultimately securing the victory. The match showcased the skill and determination of both teams, with Romania emerging as the stronger side on the day.
Canada’s performance in the game reflects their overall record in 2025, which now stands at 1-6-0. Despite facing tough opposition, the Canadian team continues to show resilience and determination as they strive to improve their standing in international rugby.
As both teams look ahead to future challenges, the match serves as a valuable learning experience and an opportunity for growth and development on the international rugby stage.