Ionel Badiu scored a 74th-minute try as Romania secured a comeback 17-13 win over Samoa in Bucharest on Saturday.

Samoa looked to have taken control of proceedings when Motu Matu’u scored just before half-time, and Tim Nanai-Williams knocked over a penalty just after the restart to hand the visitors a 10-point lead.

However, the game turned on its head when Andrei Radoi crashed over just before the hour-mark.

Samoa’s captain Chris Vui was then yellow-carded with less than 10 minutes to play. Soon after, Badiu dotted down from the back of a driving maul, and from there Romania held on for the win.

Romania – Tries: Andrei Radoi, Ionel Badiu. Conversions: Florin Vlaicu (2). Penalty: Vlaicu.
Samoa – Try: Motu Matu’u. Conversion: Tim Nanai-Williams. Penalties: Nanai-Williams (2)

Romania – 15 Marius Simionescu, 14 Tangimana Fonovai, 13 Paula Kinikinilau, 12 Sione Fakaosilia, 11 Ionut Dumitru, 10 Florin Vlaicu, 9 Florin Surugiu, 8 Stelian Burcea, 7 Mihai Macovei, 6 Andrei Gorcioaia, 5 Marius Antonescu, 4 Johann Van Heerden, 3 Andrei Ursache, 2 Andrei Radoi, 1 Mihaita Lazar.
Subs: 16 Ionel Badiu, 17 Ovidiu Cojocaru, 18 Alex Gordas, 19 Ionut Muresan, 20 Vlad Nistor, 21 Tudorel Bratu, 22 Jack Umaga, 23 Robert Neagu.

Samoa – 15 Ah See Tuala, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Reynold Lee-Lo, 11 David Lemi, 10 Tim Nanai-Williams, 9 Dwayne Polataivao, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Piula Faasalele, 5 Chris Vui (c), 4 Faatiga Lemalu, 3 Donald Brighouse, 2 Motu Matu’u, 1 Jordan Lay.
Subs: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 James Lay, 18 Hisa Sasagi, 19 Brandon Nansen, 20 Maurie Faasavalu, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Jj Taulagi, 23 Alapati Leiua.

Photo: @RugbyRomania