Saturday, November 8, 2025 (Bucharest, Romania) – Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team kicked off their Autumn Tests campaign with a 31–21 defeat to Romania.

With both teams already qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, this match served as the first of three matches to close the year, an opportunity for younger players to gain international experience and build momentum as a unified squad.  

REMEMBRANCE DAY

In recognition of Remembrance Day, Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team wore custom jerseys featuring a poppy on the left sleeve, honouring the sacrifices of those who have served and reflecting on the significance of remembering their courage, commitment, and legacy.

Romania Gets on the Board Early

Wasting no time, Romania got off to a hot start, capitalizing early with a penalty goal in the 4th minute from scrum-half Alin Conache, putting them up 3–0.

Despite holding their own against a team with immense strength and speed, Canada conceded another penalty, with Conache opting to kick and putting Romania up 6–0 in the ninth minute.

Penalties dominated the first-half narrative for both teams; however, Romania demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure and from distance. In the 15th minute, Conache notched his third penalty goal for Romania, extending their lead to 9–0. In the 17th minute, Canada had an opportunity to get on the board with their own penalty goal but the kick from fullback Peter Nelson hit the post.

Romania added a fourth penalty goal in the 25th minute through Conache, putting them ahead 12–0. The tide began to turn for Canada as the team weathered the Romanian attack and went through phase after phase to force a penalty. Mason Flesch snuck under the posts to get Canada on the board in the 28th minute, narrowing the gap to 12–5.

The final points of the half belonged to Nelson, who marked a new milestone with his 200th career point. Canada closed out the first half trailing 12–7.

Good Looks from Canada, But Romania Holds Strong

Romania continued their strong start into the second half with a quick try from a driving maul that was eventually touched down by Ovidiu Cojocaru, followed by a successful conversion from Conache in the 42nd minute. Despite a great run from Nic Benn, who seemed to have scored a try, the referee ruled it out for obstruction. 

In the 53rd minute, a high tackle from Robbie Povey resulted in a yellow card for Canada. Romania’s Cristi Chirica powered through Canada’s defence to extend the lead to 24–7.

Canada came out strong in the latter stages of the half with a try from lock Piers Von Dadelszen in the 66th minute, igniting a fire under the team. Nelson added the conversion, closing the gap to 24–14.

Penalty woes continued for Canada, as a high tackle resulted in a 70th-minute yellow card for replacement prop Matt Tierney. Romania capitalized on the advantage with an overlap on the wing, where Tevita Manumua crossed for a try. Conache’s conversion made it 31–14.

Canada finished the match on a high with a strong sequence from the backs, powering through Romania’s defence. Barnaby Waddell, earning his first cap, powered his way across the line to score his first try in the 82nd minute. Nelson added the conversion to close out the match at 31–21.

CERNAVODĂ CUP

This match marks the second edition of the Cernavodă Cup. The trophy celebrates decades of Romanian-Canadian collaboration in the nuclear energy sector. For nearly 50 years, the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant — home to two Canadian-designed CANDU reactors — has been a central pillar of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The plant remains the largest and most significant joint project undertaken by Canada and Romania. Today, its two operational CANDU units provide approximately 18% of Romania’s total electricity, delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power with zero CO₂ emissions.

From the Coach

Head Coach Stephen Meehan credited his squad’s effort to fight back after a tough start to the match: “The first 20 minutes, we didn’t play well at all. We allowed them to get away. We clawed it back to be down 12-7 at halftime was a bit flattering, but also a good indication of the hard work and what the boys did.”  

“We must concentrate on the things that we need to improve. Today demonstrated that when we applied ourselves — when we got support in and around the ball, when we moved the ball forward — we put the opposition under pressure. There are areas that we’ve got to keep working on because the basis of a good game and a good team is there.

More information on Canada’s final two Autumn Tests can be found here.

CANADA SCORING SUMMARY  

Tries: Mason Flesch (28’), Piers Von Dadelszen (66’), Barnaby Waddell (82’)
Conversions: Peter Nelson (3)

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S ROSTER VS ROMANIA

1. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Southern Districts
2. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves
3. Cole Keith (Sussex, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks
4. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – New England Free Jacks
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Capilano RFC
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
8. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds
9. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves
10. Robbie Povey (Calgary, AB) – Rotherham Titans / Utah Warriors
11. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – New England Free Jacks / Toronto Saracens
12. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Westshore RFC
13. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys / Utah Warriors
14. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Utah Warriors
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC

FINISHERS  

16. Austin Creighton (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / James Bay AA17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC / Utah Warriors
18. Matt Tierney (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders
19. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Bridgend Ravens
20. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC
21. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution / Chicago Hounds
22. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
23. Jack Shaw (Oakville, ON) – RFC LA / Castaway Wanderers

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Natasha Cyrille
Manager, Communications & Media  
[email protected]