BIRMINGHAM, Oct 3 - Romania believe they will measure their progress in world rugby by the quality of their performances against Canada on Tuesday at the Leicester City Stadium.
English defence coach Neil Kelly, working alongside experienced Welsh head coach Lynn Howells, has been steadily improving the Romania national team over a four-year period through getting the basics right and gradually becoming more ambitious.
Fighting for achievable goals and making positive long-term developments has become a mantra in the camp.
Romania have beaten Canada in their last two meetings, in 2013 and 2014, both in Bucharest.
Amazing experience
"We wanted to do well against Ireland and France (pictured above), and playing at Wembley and at the Olympic Stadium was an amazing experience, said Kelly. "But we knew we likely wouldn't beat them. It was always going to be about the Canada and Italy for us, and these next two games will mark how successful we are.
"We don't set targets, as such, but if we can keep our opponents to less than 20 points we will be competitive and can win the match. We've won some games as a result of our defence, and good application of systems we've introduced."
If Romania win their two remaining games they would qualify automatically for the next World Cup in Japan in 2019.
"That would be massive for us. We would be selecting to develop the team. If you have to win, you have to select a team to win. It prevents experimenting with new players and developing them," Kelly said.
"I think, with all tier two nation players, they might see the All Blacks, or other tier one nation players, and they want to copy their play. But that is detrimental to their development. Those teams play in a way that suits them, and that style of play may not be right for a tier two player."
Kelly was on the staff with Namibia at the last World Cup, and is a former Rugby League Super League coach of the year award winner with Widnes in 2002.
He empahsised how the Romania players have developed in terms of understanding tactical play and overall strategy.
Fitter and stronger
"When I started on the defence coaching, I aimed to bring it all back to basics and slowly introduce more complicated ideas," added Kelly. "They had good foundations and were able to then integrate the more complicated scenarios.
"These boys are fitter, stronger and more organised than ever and deserve to get a result and the confidence it would bring. It would be brilliant for them."
Kelly and Howells, who is considering a new contract offer, both look set to continue coaching the team after this World Cup.
Kelly said: "I'm doing a university qualification which may limit my participation with Romania in the short term, but long term, yes, I'd like to be involved. I think it would do Romania a lot of good to retain Lynn, and I'm sure he wants to continue working at an international level."
RNS jp/drh/ns
