Romania edges Portugal 14-10 to register its first win at the current tournament while the Japanese players erupted on the field as if they had won the Rugby World Cup, after a dramatic end that earned them a 12-12 tie with Canada. Kirwan’s team, already sure of elimination and playing its final group match, trailed 12-5 with just two minutes into time, as Koji Taira dived over the corner for Shotaro Onishi, who composedly added the conversion.
Finally, the Japanese players, some in tears, hugged each other, knowing that the unwanted record run of 13 World Cup losses in a row had at last, fizzled out.
Kirwan said,
I think today was like a World Cup final for both Japan and Canada and I think 40,000 people have probably gone away pretty happy. We showed a lot of courage. I don’t think we played particularly well, I felt we could have played a lot better. To come out with the draw is bitter sweet.
Portugal debuting at the World Cup faced heavy blows in the opening three games and fancied their chances of stealing the show following an error-strewn display by their opponents, but were ironically denied of the first run.
Romania making a bit of mistakes at the opening half, put Portugal ahead as they dominated possession and territory. The shackles were finally broken as Romanian, Marius Tincu barged over with 16 minutes left.
Malheiro put Portugal back in front with a penalty but Romania sealed the win through Florin Corodeanu’s close-range try late on.
Via: Bloomberg
