Romania holds on to defeat a determined Canada in men's rugby test in Bucharest

Romania, surviving a late red card, hung on to defeat a determined Canada 35-27 in a men's international rugby test match Saturday in Bucharest.

The Canadian men, ranked 22nd in the world compared to No. 20 for Romania, put on a far better show than a week earlier in a 44-14 loss to No. 21 Chile, also at Stadionul Arcul de Triumf.

But Canada's effort fell short with several late attacks fizzling due to a handling error or penalty. It was a fifth straight defeat for Canada, which has won just two of its last 12 tests.

Captain Lucas Rumball and Sion Parry scored tries for Canada, which was also awarded a penalty try. Peter Nelson kicked two penalties and two conversions.

Ovidiu Neagu has two tries and Tevita Manumua, captain Cristi Chirica and Yanis Horvat added singles for Romania, which led 18-13 at the half. Alin Conache booted two penalties and two conversions.

Romania's first two tries were scored with Canada down a man after wing Andrew Coe was sin-binned.

And there was bad blood early in the second half with six-foot-six Canadian lock Izzak Kelly in the thick of it. The melee was triggered by Romania hooker Stefan Buruianas, who was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Parry.

It was the Romanians' eighth yellow card in their last three games.

Canada elected to go for a scrum rather than kick for points on the ensuing penalty deep in the Romania end. Rumball crashed over to cut the deficit to 25-20 in the 48th minute.

After a Romania try by Horvat, Parry's try in the 55th minute cut the Oaks' lead to 30-27.

Romania's discipline issues continued when Australian-born centre Jason Tomane was red-carded with 16 minutes remaining for a late, high tackle on Nelson. Neagu touched down in the corner in the 68th minute, upping