Menu

          ESPN

          • scores
          • NFL
          • NBA
          • MLB
          • Soccer
          • WNBA
          • NHL
          • NCAAF
          • More Sports
            • Boxing
            • NCAA
            • Cricket
            • F1
            • Gaming
            • Golf
            • Horse
            • LLWS
            • MMA
            • NASCAR
            • NLL
            • NBA G League
            • NBA Summer League
            • NCAAM
            • NCAAW
            • NWSL
            • Olympics
            • PLL
            • Racing
            • RN BB
            • RN FB
            • Rugby
            • Bananas
            • Sports Betting
            • TGL
            • Tennis
            • UFL
            • Men's World Cup
            • WWE
            • Professional Wrestling
          • Editions
          • Where to Watch
          • Fantasy
          • Watch
          • Rugby

          • Home
          • Scores
          • Tables
          • Tournaments
          • Countries
          Rugby World Cup 2015
          RomaniaRomaniaROM
          17
          06/10FT
          15
          CanadaCanadaCAN
          • Mihai Macovei(53', 74')
          • Florin Vlaicu(54', 75')
          • Florin Vlaicu(78')
          • DTH Van Der Merwe(33')
          • Jeff Hassler(44')
          • Nathan Hirayama(45')
          • Gordon McRorie(11')
          • SummarySummary
          • ReportReport
          • CommentaryCommentary
          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
          • LineupsLineups
          • TableTable

          Vlaicu completes dramatic comeback for Romania

          • PA Sport
          Multiple Authors
          Oct 6, 2015, 03:00 AM ET
          • Copy Link
          • Email
          • Print

          Romania pulled off a remarkable second-half comeback to beat Canada 17-15 and record their first win of the Rugby World Cup.

          Canada looked on course for victory at Leicester City Stadium when they led 15-0 thanks to tries from DTH van der Merwe and Jeff Hassler, but Romania came roaring back, as two scores from captain Mihai Macovei reduced the gap to one before Florin Vlaicu kicked a match-winning penalty three minutes from time.

          It means Canada have lost all four of their group matches for the first time at the World Cup while Romania can still finish third if they beat Italy on Sunday to secure automatic qualification for 2019.

          Canada made a pulsating start and thought they had a try within two minutes when scrum-half Gordon McRorie darted round the blind side to dive over the line but referee Wayne Barnes brought play back, penalising Nick Blevins for a neck roll.

          Romania cleared their lines and attacked almost immediately, with centre Paula Kinikinilau making a surging run down the left but his pass inside was cut out and Canada were spared.

          Two penalties gave Canada the chance to break the deadlock and while McRorie missed his first attempt at the posts, he slotted the second after Romania's Valentin Poparlan strayed offside.

          After a shaky start, Romania found a foothold but Florin Vlaicu missed a long-range penalty before full-back Catalin Fercu was shown a yellow card in the 20th minute for what appeared a fairly innocuous collision with Blevins in the air.

          Down to 14, Romania resisted for a while but with 33 minutes played, Canada finally struck as an excellent pick-up and offload from McRorie began the break and before Romania could reorganise, play spread left and Van der Merwe cruised over for his sixth try in five matches.

          McRorie missed the kick from out wide and he was not alone in struggling from the tee, as Vlaicu fell short with another long-range penalty shortly before half-time.

          It proved costly as less than four minutes after the restart, Hassler bulldozed his way past three Romanian defenders to slide over for his fourth international try and Nathan Hirayama, taking over kicking duties, added the extras to give Canada a 15-0 lead.

          Romania looked down and out but enjoyed their best spell after the try and in the 53rd minute managed a score of their own as a well-executed line-out set up a drive over the line, with captain Macovei touching down.

          Vlaicu converted to reduce the gap to eight before Canada's Hirayama missed a penalty and Romania set about piling the pressure on their opponents' line again.

          Valentin Ursache thought he was in when he scooped up a loose ball, but referee Barnes brought play back for a knock-on, and then James Pritchard went close after charging down Hirayama's kick, but he too failed to gather cleanly.

          Canada's task grew tougher when Jebb Sinclair was sin-binned for coming in the side of a ruck and with a man less, their resistance finally crumbled, as Macovei leapt over to set up a dramatic finish.

          Vlaicu converted to make it 15-14 and, with just three minutes remaining, another scrum penalty gave Vlaicu the chance to put his side ahead.

          The inside centre held his nerve, drilling the ball home from 40 yards, prompting an explosion of yellow in the crowd and the loudest roar of the match.

          There was no time left for a dejected Canada to respond as Romanian players poured onto the pitch at full-time to celebrate a superb victory.

          • Terms of Use
          • Privacy Policy
          • Your US State Privacy Rights
          • Children's Online Privacy Policy
          • Interest-Based Ads
          • About Nielsen Measurement
          • Your Privacy Choices
          • Contact Us
          • Disney Ad Sales Site
          • Work for ESPN
          • Corrections
          GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL.
          Copyright: © 2026 ESPN Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.

          Standings

          Pool A
          RTeamGPPDP
          1FRA4+17818
          2NZL4+20615
          3ITA4-6710
          4URU4-995
          5NAM4-2180
          Pool B
          RTeamGPPDP
          1IRE4+14419
          2SOU4+11715
          3SCO4+7510
          4TON4-815
          5ROM4-2550
          Pool C
          RTeamGPPDP
          1WAL4+8419
          2FIJ4+511
          3AUS4-111
          4POR4-396
          5GEO4-493
          Pool D
          RTeamGPPDP
          1ENG4+11118
          2ARG4+5814
          3JAP4+29
          4SAM4+177
          5CHI4-1880
          Full Table

          Rugby World Cup 2015 News

          • 'I'll put my hand up for the World Cup': Wallabies' James Slipper not ruling out record fifth World Cup

            Recently retired Wallabies prop James Slipper is in line to make a shock return to the gold jersey less than a year after he farewelled the group through a front-row injury crisis, with a record fifth World Cup not ruled out.

          • Wallabies to face Ireland in 2027, will play seven Tests before Rugby World Cup

            The Wallabies will return to Canberra for a Test match for the first time in 10 years after Rugby Australia confirmed a final Rugby World Cup warmup match against Ireland next year.

          • Andy Farrell not talking to RFU about England role 'at present' -- Bill Sweeney

            Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney insists there has been no contact with Andy Farrell as part of England's succession planning for the time beyond next year's World Cup.

          • Argentina working towards 2035 Rugby World Cup bid

            Argentina will bid to stage the 2035 World Cup as part of a wider South American tournament that will also include Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.

          • Historic Rennie appointment to add World Cup intrigue

            Axed Wallabies coach Dave Rennie's high road to a belated Rugby World Cup chance will come with New Zealand and add another layer to the rivalry when the side's meet at next year's showpiece in Sydney.

          • Nine games in 17 days: Your ultimate RWC 2027 pool stage travel plan

            Love rugby? Got an infinite amount of cash at your disposal? Don't mind a few hours in the air? Then have we got the RWC 2027 pool stage travel plan for you!