Romania vow to go out with a bang

Romania are desperate to break their Rugby World Cup 2011 losing streak and finish on a high when they meet Georgia in their final Pool B match on Wednesday.

The Oaks have already lost to Scotland, Argentina and England but this match against their European Nations Cup rivals, Georgia, is the one they have been targeting.

"It's the big finale for us," admitted Romania captain Marius Tincu, who is poised to earn his 50th cap as one of 10 changes to the Romanian line-up that went down 67-3 to England.

The Oaks' bid to finish with a flourish will see a reunion of 14 of the starting XV against Scotland, who led in the second half before losing 34-24.

Injured scrum half Lucian Mihai Sirbu will miss the showdown at Arena Manawatu with a knee injury.

Oaks vice-captain Cristian Petre said the Romanians are struggling to shake off their big defeat by fourth-ranked England.

"It will not be easy to recover after the match against England, but this one is our last match, a man's match, of life and death," said Petre, on the brink of his 86th cap.

'We will sacrifice ourselves'

Squad leader and veteran hooker Tincu indicated the three-day recovery period between Romania's match against England and their final match has been a strain on the Oaks' resources.

"You are asking a lot from the guys," he said. "That is why I say it will be a man's match. We will sacrifice ourselves."

Tincu, 33, believes success against Georgia will salvage his side's RWC 2011 campaign.
"We need to finish with a victory," he said. "If we lose, we will be bitter."

Romania have won eight of their last 14 clashes against Georgia, but the Lelos triumphed 18-11 in March to take the European Nations Cup grand slam.

Boasting 551 caps between them, Georgia have also named their most experienced RWC XV, with coach Richie Dixon saying: "We're going to stick with the guys who have played very well for us, so there aren't a lot of changes."

Georgia have made three changes to the line-up who started against England, with David Zirakashvili, Giorgi Chkhaidze and Lasha Khmaladze moving from the bench to the starting XV.

Their only previous RWC victory was their 30-0 win against Namibia in 2007 after making their first appearance at RWC 2003.

'We are ready for them'

"We've trained really hard for this match," said captain Irakli Abuseridze. "We know they've trained really hard for us as well, they rested their starting XV for this match. But we're ready for them."

Georgia are also buoyed by the fact they have won eight of their past 10 matches, losing only against England and Scotland at RWC 2011.

Both teams concede the match will be won or lost in the front row.

"It will be very physical, not really strategic," said Romania captain Tincu. "We will do our best against them. We have to win our trial by combat."

Georgia coach Dixon conceded it will come down to how well his scrum matches Romania's.

"We know it will be a strong forward battle," he said.

"Our packs are very similar and it all depends on when we get our ball and how we use those opportunities."