Two Simon Danielli tries in the final five minutes saved Scotland from one of the all-time World Cup shocks yesterday as they came back to beat Romania 34-24 in the opening Pool B game of the World Cup having trailed with six minutes to go.
Romania, beaten 42-0 by Scotland at the same stage four years ago, had produced a huge effort, particularly in their forwards, and when Dan Carpo scored their second try after 74 minutes they were within reach of their greatest day.
However, Scotland, who had started well, finally rediscovered their verve and Danielli, who had not scored an international try for two years, finished powerfully to secure the win and a bonus point for four tries.
Photo: AFP
It was hardly the start Scotland expected against the team considered the weakest in the pool and they will have to improve markedly if they are to maintain their proud record of reaching at least the quarter-finals in every tournament.
There was no hint of the problems ahead for Scotland when they began yesterday’s game at a windy Rugby Park in Invercargill full of adventurous running.
Scrumhalf Mike Blair and center Joe Ansbro finished off well-made moves for tries and fullback Chris Paterson, in his 106th international, added more points with his boot.
However, Romania’s forwards gradually took charge and after two penalties for Danut Dumbrava, prop Mihaita Lazar drove over for a try to keep his side in the game at only 18-11 down at the break.
Two penalties by replacement Ionut Dimofte kept them in touch before a huge scrum opened the way for No. 8 Carpo to burrow over the line.
Dimofte’s conversion took them three points clear, before Paterson leveled with a penalty.
Scotland finally secured some ball and got it to their backs and Danielli, who had managed only one international try in the last seven years, twice provided the finishing touches.
“We started quietly, a bit timid, but then we played to our plan and its just a pity we were 10 minutes away from history,” Romania coach Romeo Gontineac said. “I want to congratulate our forwards, they were powerful and had a very good game and we have to keep that going for our other matches.”
“To be honest I was disappointed with certain aspects of our game, but we got the win, we got the bonus point,” Scotland captain Alistair Kellock said. “Our finishing at time was outstanding while our big ball carriers did brilliantly well. We have got an awful lot to work on though, but we will get there, definitely.
“We were in a tough situation with about 10-15 minutes to go, but credit to us that we dug it out,” he added. “We made a lot of errors in that middle 40 — and they are errors we need to cut out if we are going to win games in this tournament.”
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