Romania have completed the biggest comeback in Rugby World Cup history after overturning a 15-0 score to record a 17-15 victory over Canada in their Pool D clash at the King Power Stadium.
Canada led 15-0 early into the second half, but Romania made the most of a late sin-bin to claim their first win at the tournament this summer.
Both sides entered the match without a chance of qualifying for the next round of this particular tournament, but both could still finish third in the section and therefore avoid the qualification process for the World Cup in 2019.
Canada had the chance to take the lead in the ninth minute from distance, but Gordon McRorie could not convert the penalty, with the scrum-half's kick well wide of the posts. McRorie made no mistake two minutes later, however, as his successful penalty from 25 metres sent Canada into a 3-0 lead.
Romania began to settle as play developed and forced their first penalty of the match in the 17th minute. Florin Vlaicu stepped up, but from 50 metres and against the rain, he could not convert. Romania were then without Catalin Fercu for 10 minutes after the full-back collided with Nick Blevins when the Canada centre was off his feet.
McRorie had the chance to score his second penalty of the match three minutes later, but the scrum-half mis-hit the ball as the score remained 3-0. The first try of the match finally arrived in the 33th minute when DTH van der Merwe dived over in the corner for his fourth try of the tournament.
Vlaicu had another chance to convert a penalty late in the half, but again his kick was short as Canada took an 8-0 lead into the second half.
Canada took a 13-0 lead just four minutes after the restart when Jeff Hassler scored the second try of the match, before Nathan Hirayama made it 15-0 with a successful conversion after Canada changed kickers.
Romania quickly put seven points on the board in the 53rd and 54th minute, however, with Mihai Macovei scoring a try, before Vlaicu was successful from the resulting conversion. Hirayama had the chance to increase Canada's lead in the 56th minute, but from over 40 metres out, the fly-half's finish was a fraction wide of the posts.
Canada were forced to play the remainder of the game with just 14 men after Jebb Sinclair was sent to the sin-bin in the 72nd minute.
Macovei converted his second try of the game in the 74th minute and the Romanians were within one point with six minutes to play after Vlaicu converted. Vlaicu again stepped up in the 78th minute and put his penalty over the posts to send Romania 17-15 ahead.
As the clock ticked towards the full-time whistle, Valentin Calafeteanu sent the ball into the stands as Romania made history. The result means that Canada have lost all of their matches at a Rugby World Cup for the first time.
Matt Law
