Team profile: Romania

Romania lost to the All Blacks 85-8 at the last World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

Romania will have to battle it out with Georgia to avoid Pool B's wooden spoon, but are capable of pulling off an upset.

Team bio:
World Cup Appearances: 6
Last World Cup result: Group stages
Best-ever RWC: Group stages
IRB Ranking: 17
Head Coaches: Steve McDowell, Romeo Gontineac
Key player:Hmm. First five-eighths Dan Dumbrava. He'll need to kick his goals to keep Romania afloat.

Overnight:
Ever-presents at the Cup, but yet to make an impact.

Romanian rugby in the 1970s and 1980s was strong, and they were a chance to get a spot in an enlarged Six Nations Championship. But the breakup of Nicolae Ceausescu's communist regime had a hugely detrimental effect on the game.

They were 20th and final qualifier this time around, when after drawing the first leg in Montevideo, they beat Uruguay 39-12 last November in Bucharest to secure their place in New Zealand.

The Oaks have bagged five wins over the previous six tournaments, never more than one per event, so there's an obvious target, although it won't be easy.

They'll get to know Invercargill well on their visit, with two games in the far south, along with Dunedin and Palmerston North.

Their forwards coach, 1987 All Black World Cup winner Steve McDowall , could be a de facto tour guide. Coach Romeo Gontineac played in four cups.

There will be some familiar faces, like irascible hooker Marius Tincu, and expect the Romanians to be combative forwards.

On past sightings, they're bound to have a back with a kick like a mule, although don't hold your breath for an expansive game plan.

Like the Georgians, France has become a home away from home for their better players. Tincu and flanker Ovidiu Tonita are at Top 14 club Perpignan, while prop Silviu Florea is at Bordeaux.

"The objective is to play some good matches against England, Scotland and Argentina - and win our last match against Georgia," said Tonita. Indeed the Georgians might see things precisely the same way.

Fixtures:
Saturday September 10 v Scotland, Rugby Park Stadium (Invercargill)
Saturday September 17 v Argentina, Rugby Park Stadium (Invercargill)
Saturday September 24 v England, Otago Stadium (Dunedin)
Wednesday September 28 v Georgia, Arena Manawatu (Palmerston North)