Canada opens their November tour in Bucharest against a familiar opponent in Romania. The Oaks endured a tough trip to South America in July, but have completely revamped their squad at home. For the Maple Leafs it’s a chance to look at some new combinations, welcome back a couple veterans, and build towards their return to the World Cup in 2027.
Current World Ranking: 21 (62.67 points)
2025-07-18 – Argentina XV 52, Romania 14 (Buenos Aires)
2025-07-12 – Uruguay 70, Romania 8 (Montevideo)
2025-07-05 – Chile 40, Romania 16 (Santiago)
2025-03-16 – Portugal 7, Romania 21 (Oeiras)
2025-03-02 – Georgia 43, Romania 5 (Tbilisi)
Current World Ranking: 24 (59.20 points)
2024-11-09 – Chile 44, Canada 14 (Bucharest)
2024-09-14 – Tonga 30, Canada 17 (Tokyo)
2024-08-31 – USA 28, Canada 15 (Carson)
2024-08-25 – Canada 28, Japan 55 (Vancouver)
2024-07-12 – Canada 35, Romania 22 (Ottawa)
 |
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Alexandru Savin | Iulian Hartig |
| 2 | Ovidiu Cojocaru | Tudor Butnariu |
| 3 | Cosmin Manole | Vasile Balan |
| 4 | Nicolaas Immelman | Yanis Horvat |
| 5 | Andrei Mahu | Adrian Motoc |
| 6 | Cristi Boboc | Matthew Tweddle |
| 7 | Kemal Altinok | Florian Rosu |
| 8 | Cristi Chirica | Vlad Neculau |
| 9 | Alin Conache | Toma Mirzac |
| 10 | Hinckley Vaovasa | Mihai Muresan |
| 11 | Tevita Manumua | Talia’uli Sikuea |
| 12 | Jason Tomane | Fonovai Tangimana |
| 13 | Atila Septar | Sebastian Tofan |
| 14 | Iliesa Tiqe | David Florea |
| 15 | Gabriel Pop | Antonio Mitrea |
|
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Sam Miller | Cali Martinez |
| 7 | Lucas Rumball | Sion Parry |
| 10 | Robbie Povey | Jack Shaw |
| 12 | Kyle Tremblay | Talon McMullin |
- David Gérard has quite literally changed the entire Oaks lineup from the team that was brushed aside by the Argentina XV… most notably captain Ovidiu Cojocaru will play his final test, having announced his retirement from national team duty… and there is a return of highly-regarded Atila Septar to the midfield after more than two years of international exile
- the Romanian pack isn’t far off full strength though second row Adrian Motoc will be missed… their backline will hold a significant size advantage over the Canadians, with Septar forming an imposing center partnership with Jason Tomane and Gabriel Pop another big body at fullback
- Steve Meehan hands a first test start to Sam Miller at loosehead prop, and skipper Lucas Rumball returns in the only forward changes to the team that came up short against Tonga
- Canada’s backline is perhaps short on strike runners but does look to have a kicking advantage with Rotherham flyhalf Robbie Povey back for his first cap since 2023 and Peter Nelson swapped to fullback
- powerful Bridgend lock Barnaby Waddell is set to make his test debut among the reserves, while former Castres prop Matt Tierney has recovered from a long-term injury and is now set for his first international appearance since 2021
Ovidiu Cojocaru (Captain)
“I’m glad that my last match will be with the Canadian team, I trust my teammates, the team and I hope for a victory. It’s a difficult moment in every athlete’s career, to take a step back, but at some point we all have to do this. It will be a match with a lot of emotional charge, a special match for me and as I said, I want to end my career with the national team with a victory.”
Steve Meehan (Head Coach)
“We have players returning to the squad who’ve brought renewed energy and enthusiasm. The ten-day preparation period has been instrumental in strengthening cohesion, sharpening our combinations, and reinforcing how we want to operate as a squad. Our objective remains clear: to continue developing our ability to adapt week to week, respond to the different styles, conditions and challenges each opponent presents, and advance our identity.”
While results haven’t been great for the Oaks this year, the team will be happy to be at home and with several reinforcements from their ill-fated July tour. They’ll rely on physicality up front but must remain disciplined against a Canadian side with a strong kicking game. Miller will be targeted in the scrum and the Maple Leafs would do well to clear the ball quickly at the set piece. The Oaks have dominated results over the past two decades with only one exception, and with the Canucks absent some of their top players should be confident of another victory on Saturday. Romania are favorites at home in Bucharest.
ROMANIA
1 Alexandru Savin, 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru (capt.), 3 Cosmin Manole, 4 Nicolaas Immelman, 5 Andrei Mahu, 6 Cristi Boboc, 7 Kemal Altinok, 8 Cristi Chirica, 9 Alin Conache, 10 Hinckley Voavasa, 11 Tevita Manumua, 12 Jason Tomane, 13 Atila Septar, 14 Iliesa Tiqe, 15 Gabriel Pop
Replacements: 16 Stefan Buruiana, 17 Iulian Hartig, 18 Gheorghe Gajion, 19 Matthew Tweddle, 20 Vlad Neculau, 21 Gabriel Rupanu, 22 Mihai Graure, 23 Paul Popoaia
CANADA
1 Sam Miller, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Piers von Dadelszen, 5 Izzak Kelly, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 8 Matthew Oworu, 9 Brock Gallagher, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Josiah Morra, 12 Kyle Tremblay, 13 Spencer Jones, 14 Nic Benn, 14 Peter Nelson
Replacements: 16 Austin Creighton, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Barnaby Waddell, 20 Sion Parry, 21 Jason Higgins, 22 Noah Flesch, 23 Jack Shaw
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Kickoff: 17:00 local (07:00 Pacific, 10:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: cloudy with showers, 54°F (12°C), wind E 8-12mph (13-19km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN+ (Canada), TVR Sport (Romania), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistants: Adam Jones (Wales) & Ben Connor (Wales)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (10): Romania 7, Canada 3
2024-11-16 – Romania 35, Canada 27 (Bucharest)
2024-07-12 – Canada 35, Romania 22 (Ottawa)
2017-06-17 – Canada 9, Romania 25 (Edmonton)
2016-11-19 – Romania 21, Canada 16 (Bucharest)
2015-10-06 – Romania 17, Canada 15 (Leicester)
2014-11-22 – Romania 18, Canada 9 (Bucharest)
2013-11-16 – Romania 21, Canada 20 (Bucharest)
2005-11-19 – Romania 22, Canada 20 (Bucharest)
1995-05-26 – Canada 34, Romania 3 (Port Elizabeth)
1991-10-09 – Canada 19, Romania 11 (Toulouse)
