Romania clinched a surprise 25-9 victory against hosts Canada in Edmonton on Saturday.

In what was their final game before their 2019 World Cup qualifying series against the USA, Canada were comprehensively outplayed on their home turf by an inspired Romania side.

Canada slotted two penalties in the opening half, but a scintillating linebreak by flank Johannes van Heerden resulted in a try for Voirel Lucaci to hand Romania a 7-6 advantage at half-time.

Wing Fonovai Tangimana then completed a second-half brace, while teammate Florin Vlaicu succeeded with a conversion and two penalties to round off an excellent triumph for the Oaks. Gordon McRorie did add a third penalty to get Canada’s tally up to nine.

Canada – Penalties: Gordon McRorie (3).
Romania – Tries: Voirel Lucaci, Fonovai Tangimana (2). Conversions: Florin Vlaicu (2). Penalties: Vlaicu (2).

Canada – 15 Ciaran Hearn, 14 DTH van der Merwe (cc), 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Nick Blevins, 11 Sean Duke, 10 Connor Braid, 9 Gordon McRorie, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Matt Heaton, 6 Tyler Ardron, 5 Evan Olmstead, 4 Brett Beukeboom (cc), 3 Matt Tierney, 2 Ray Barkwill, 1 Anthony Luca.
Subs: 16 Benoit Piffero, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Ryan Ackerman, 19 Conor Keys, 20 Kyle Baillie, 21 Phil Mack, 22 Shane O’Leary, 23 Andrew Coe.

Romania – 15 Luke Samoa, 14 Fonovai Tangimana, 13 Paula Kinikinilau, 12 Sione Fakaosilea, 11 Ionut Dumitru, 10 Florin Vlaicu, 9 Florin Surugiu, 8 Mihai Macovei (c), 7 Viorel Lucaci, 6 Vlad Nistor, 5 Valentin Poparlan, 4 Johannes Van Heerden, 3 Andrei Ursache, 2 Otar Turashvili, 1 Ionel Badiu.
Subs: 16 Constantin Pristavita, 17 Andrei Radoi, 18 Alexandru Tarus, 19 Marius Antonescu, 20 Andrei Gorcioaia, 21 Tudorel Bratu, 22 Vladut Popa, 23 Marius Simionescu.

Photo: Getty Images