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Romania v Tonga opens Nations Cup round four in Bucharest

Level at three wins each in six meetings since 2013, Romania and Tonga meet in Bucharest with unbeaten Georgia and USA setting the pace in the pools.

By RuckBee Newsroom2 min read
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Romania v Tonga, a rivalry that stands level at three wins apiece, begins round four of the World Rugby Nations Cup in Bucharest, with Angus Gardner of Australia refereeing. The match is live on RugbyPass TV where there is no local broadcaster.

Both sides have won once in the first three rounds. Romania are 21st in the World Rugby rankings and Tonga 19th. The two have met six times since 2013. Tonga won 45-24 at Rugby World Cup 2023, while Romania took the last meeting 25-15 in Bucharest two years ago.

Romania have named flanker Cristi Boboc as captain, with Alin Conache and Daniel Plai at half-back. Adrian Țală is set for a debut off the bench. Fetuli Paea captains Tonga.

Georgia host Canada

USA and Georgia top their pools as the only unbeaten teams, and the two inaugural champions will be decided by the end of November. Georgia host Canada at Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi, with Gianluca Gnecchi of Italy as referee. Davit Niniashvili captains from full-back, with Luka Matkava and Vasil Lobzhanidze at half-back.

Georgia topped their pool with three away wins: 41-34 v Uruguay, 33-12 v Samoa and 49-22 v Chile. Matkava is the tournament's top points scorer with 49 points, having landed all 19 of his kicks. Georgia have won seven of eight matches in 2026, losing only 19-17 to Portugal in the Rugby Europe Championship final in March. An eighth win would match their 2018 total of eight.

Canada have one win so far, 23-19 over Zimbabwe in round three. Matt Beukeboom is set for his first Test in nine years, and Jack Gore could earn a first cap off the bench. Of Georgia, Stephen Meehan said: "Georgia are a physical, confrontational team with an aggressive defensive line speed, a strong set-piece and an athletic backline."

Portugal v Chile

Portugal host Chile in Lisbon, with Nic Berry refereeing. Rodrigo Marta and Manuel Cardoso Pinto win their 50th caps. Portugal are second on 12 points, two behind Georgia, and have won all four previous meetings with Chile, the last 23-18 in Santiago in 2019.

Sources

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