The Romanian Wolves experienced a significant setback in the Rugby Europe Super Cup, falling to the Lusitanos with a score of 5-77 (0-35). This defeat marks their first loss of the current season, resulting in a drop to second place in the standings.
The match took place at Estadio Dr. Jose Melo Silverira Botelho in Caldas da Rainha, primarily under the control of the home team, Lusitanos, who completed the game with 11 successful tries, all converted, compared to just one unconverted try by the Wolves.
Scoring began in the fifth minute when Rodrigo Marques touched down for Lusitanos after sustained pressure in the Wolves’ 22, with Hugo Aubry converting the try to put the hosts ahead 7-0. The second try came in the 16th minute from scrum-half Martim Dias, increasing the lead to 14-0 after another successful conversion.
Despite attempts from the Wolves to respond, Lusitanos capitalized on defensive gaps, scoring again in the 24th minute through fullback Tomas Batista, making it 21-0 after Aubry’s conversion.
Wolves Trailed 35-0 at Halftime
Five minutes later, the score climbed to 28-0 thanks to wing Manuel C. Pinto. He added another try shortly before halftime, sending the teams into the break with the scoreboard reading 35-0 in favor of Lusitanos.
The second half proved equally challenging for the Wolves, as Pedro Vicente scored the first try after the break, converted by Aubry, pushing the lead to 42-0. The score extended to 49-0 in the 53rd minute when center Vasco Durao crossed the try line, again followed by a successful conversion.
After some ineffective minutes for the Wolves, Lusitanos scored once more through Francisco Almeida, further extending their lead to 56-0.
Finally, the Wolves managed to put points on the board in the 64th minute, with a try from Lumelume Kalaveti, which went unconverted, making the score 56-5. Lusitanos, however, surged forward, adding three more tries from Amado, Mascarenhas, and Granate, all converted, concluding the match at 77-5.
Following this match, Lusitanos climbed to the top of the standings with increased chances of securing the title, while the Romanian Wolves fell to second place. They still have one match left, facing the Bohemia Rugby Warriors on December 5 in Bucharest.
Team Line-ups
- Pedro Vicente
- Jason Cornelius
- Antonio Prim C
- Duarte Torgal
- Martim Bello
- David Wallis
- Andre de Cunha
- Jose Monteiro
- Martim Dias
- Hugo Aubry
- Manuel C. Pinto
- Domingos Cabral
- Vasco Durao
- Rodrigo Marques
- Tomas Batista
Impact Players: Abel da Cunha, Nuno Mascarenhas, Giorgi Turabelidze, Francisco Almeida, Antonio R. Andrade, Joao Granate, Tomas Amado, Jordan Bacon.
- Alexandru Savin C
- Vazha Ruadze
- Fehoko Masiu Mata Ki Vaha
- Virgil Ghenea
- Andrei Toader
- Andrei Bogdan Andreică
- Matthew Tweddle
- Alexander Dinu
- Vlad Croitoru
- Ștefan Ioan Cojocariu
- Mounga Seti Taufa Tonga
- Lumelume Sivaniono Kalaveti
- Tristan Uys
- Eujaan Botha
- Manuel Thane Tharquinn
Impact Players: Adrian Radu, James Scott, Joji Sikote, Logan Weidner, Xavier Samisoni Degei, Rareș Mîrzac, Marian Ispir, Dănuț Jipa.
