The Portuguese national rugby team won this Saturday in Romania with a score of 49-24 in the third round of the Rugby European Championship 2024 (REC24) and reached the semi-finals for the second year in a row, finishing first in Group B.
Portugal haven’t won in Romania since 2009 and were almost forced to do so to guarantee their passage to the semi-finals, but they didn’t even need the attacking bonus they won at the sixth attempt from Nicolas Martins (80+3 mins) on the hour , ensuring a difference of three attempts in relation to the Romanians.
As well as the Angoulême man, Manuel Cardoso Pinto (13 and 70 minutes), Thomas Appleton (38) and Lucas Martins (52 and 79) also crossed for Portugal, while newcomer Hugo Aubry transformed the first five Tests and added three penalties (19 , 34 and 64).
Portugal came out on top at Bucharest’s Arcule de Triomphe and spent the first 20 minutes in midfield, but that territorial dominance only resulted in a 10-0 lead, with Cardoso Pinto’s first try (13) and a penalty from Aubry (19).
The first time they reached the Portuguese 22-metre area, Romania “discovered” an old Wolves weakness that had been eradicated at the World Cup and took advantage of the penalty to send the ball five meters into touch. from the line, collect a maul from the lineout and make an easy try for Ovidio Cojocar (21 minutes).
Hugo Aubry’s penalty (34′) and Alin Konash’s goal kept the distance until Thomas Appleton (39) scored Portugal’s second try to secure a more comfortable 20-10 lead early in the second half.
After the rest of the match, the Romanians came out very strong, but Lucas Martins (52 minutes) reacted to the second attempt of the Romanians by Taylor Gontineak (44) with an excellent counter-attack, slightly against the flow of the game.
Ovidiu Neagu (60′) brought Romania back to within three points (27-24), taking advantage of a moment of intense pressure in the final five Portuguese meters and a yellow card for Vasco Baptista, but despite being outnumbered, Portugal were successful. almost two converted tries on the road (37-24) thanks to Aubrey’s penalty (64) and Cardoso Pinto’s brace (70).
With Wolves already playing against the clock to secure victory, Lucas Martins (79′) ran through a closed side to end all doubts, but Portugal, having secured victory, did not shoot from possession and went in search of the bonus a point that he didn’t even need, and got it with a touch on the goal of Nicolas Martins (80+3).
The result guaranteed Portugal first place in Group B with 11 points, two more than Romania, a record of two wins and one defeat, guaranteeing the right to play in the semi-finals at home.
Thus, on March 2 or 3, Portugal will host Spain, which this Saturday lost to Georgia with a score of 38:3 and finished Group A in second place. The other semi-final will be played between Georgia and Romania.
Game at the Arcule de Triumph stadium in Bucharest.
Romania – Portugal, 24-49.
During the break: 10-20.
Under the arbitration of Georgian Nika Amashukeli, the teams lined up as follows:
– Romania: Alexandru Savin, Ovidiu Cojocaru, Alexandru Gordas, Ionit-Lucian Muresan, Stefan Iancu, Florian Rosu, Vlad Neculau, Cristian Stratila, Gabriel Rupanu, Alin Conace, Tevita Manumua, Fonovai Tangimana, Taylor Gontiniac, Ionut Dumitru and Marius Simionescu.
Also playing: Vasile Bardasu, Iulian-Ionut Hartig, Vasile Balan, Johannes van Heerden, Adrian Mitu, Florin Suruggiu, Daniel Play and Ovidiu Neagu.
Tests (3): Ovidiu Cojocaru (21), Taylor Gontiniak (44), Ovidiu Neagu (60).
Conversions (3): Aline Konash (22, 45, 61).
Bounce shots (1): Alin Konash (37).
Coach: David Gerard
– Portugal: António Machado Santos, Luka Begic, Abel da Cunha, Martim Bello, Duarte Torgal, David Wallis, Nicholas Martins, Vasco Baptista, Hugo Camacho, Hugo Aubry, Lucas Martins, Thomas Appleton, Jose Lima, Jose Paiva dos Santos and Manuel Cardoso Pinto.
Also playing: Andre Arrojado, Pedro Vicente, Antonio Prim, Joao Granate, Diego Pinheiro Ruiz, Duarte Azevedo, Jose Rodrigues and Pierre Sayers.
Rehearsals (6): Manuel Cardoso Pinto (13, 70), Thomas Appleton (38), Lucas Martins (52, 79), Nicholas Martins (80+3).
Conversions (5): Hugo Aubry (14, 39, 53, 71, 80).
Penalty (3): Hugo Aubry (19, 34, 64).
Coach: Daniel Hourcade
Disciplinary action: Yellow card for Vasco Baptiste (58).
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.