Conache on target as Romania defeats Canada 31-21 in men's international rugby test

Scrum half Alin Conache kicked 16 points to help Romania to a 31-21 win over Canada in men's international rugby play Saturday.

The loss at the Stadionul Arcul de Triumf is expected to drop No. 24 Canada at least one place in the world rankings.

Canada takes on No. 11 Georgia next Saturday in Batumi before facing No. 20 Portugal on Nov. 22 in Coimbra. Georgia defeated the 15th-ranked U.S. Eagles 43-30 earlier Saturday in Batumi.

Ovidiu Cojocaru, Cristi Chirică and Tevita Manumua scored tries for No. 21 Romania. Conache booted four penalties and two conversions.

Mason Flesch, Piers Von Dadelszen and Barnaby Waddell scored tries for Canada, which had two players sent to the sin-bin in the second half. Peter Nelson kicked three conversions.

Waddell, who plays in Wales for Bridgend Ravens, crashed over with the clock in the red after making his debut off the bench in the second half.

Romania improved to 8-3-0 all-time against Canada. The Oaks have won eight of the last nine meetings, the exception being a 35-22 victory for Canada at Ottawa's TD Place Stadium in July 2024. Canada's two other victories were at the 1991 and 1995 World Cups.

Romania started brightly off the opening kickoff Saturday and went ahead 3-0 in the third minute on a Conache penalty after No. 8 Matt Oworu was penalized for not releasing the ball when tackled in the Canadian end. Conache was on target again in the ninth minute after Canada was penalized at the lineout.

Conache made it 9-0 in the 15th minute after Canada was driven back in the scrum on its own put-in. A Nelson penalty attempt in the 18th minute just missed, hitting the goalpost.

Romania kept the scoreboard ticking over, upping the lead to 12-0 in the 25th minute after Canada was penalized