Moldovan rugby on the brink of greatness!

With the ENC 1b starting up again for the last remaining fixtures, for one country it will mean a potential significant rise in European rugby. Germany and Moldova are both fighting for promotion into the European nations cup (ENC 1a), where they will face the likes of Georgia, Romania, Russia Portugal and Spain for the next 2 years and in turn hopefully catapulting their respective country and players to European and even world stardom.

 

Germany are currently leading the pool, but Moldova are close behind with a game in hand. If the boys from Eastern Europe win their next 3 games with bonus points, they will secure promotion regardless of what Germany do. This also keeps their 2015 rugby World Cup hopes alive, as they then enter the repecharge stages and will have to fight off the Netherlands and then Russia, before being Europe’s final hope of having one more team in the competition where they then will face a team from South America/Africa/Asia.

 

So what are Moldova’s chances?

 

We are nearing the end of our first week of training in preparation for our first big challenge away in Poland. Poland’s form has been questionable recently with varying results and a varying squad. In house problems regarding the French Polish players has seen a massive cull of the majority of the naturalised players and even old coaching staff. Their problems worsened after defeats against Madagascar and Sri Lanka! However, Poland cannot be underestimated, and boast a large contingent of players performing successfully In Europe and with pride at stake and a home game, they will be a formidable force.

 

Moldova however, are progressing along at a rate of knots and have showed no signs of slowing down. Unbeaten in 2013 they look to continue their domination in Europe and are boosted by the return of powerful prop, Vadim Cobilas. The sale forward has been terrorising the English premiership and will bolster the pack alongside his brother max and powerhouse number 8, Oleg Prepelita, who has dominated the Russian premiership over recent seasons and who was also voted Russia’s best player in the premiership for 2013 will also look to carry powerfully.

 

In addition to myself in the backline, the Moldovan rugby federation has secured the services of another ‘foreigner’. French rugby league player, Andrei Olari, will make his debut on the wing this Saturday. He has previously played in the English Rugby League Championship with Toulouse and represented the French rugby league team at age group level, where he even faced current rugby union Legend, Israel Folau. I spoke with Andrei at the team hotel:

 

“I am very excited to make my debut, but of course I am slightly nervous. The moves for wing are very similar to rugby league so it should be okay!”

 

April 2014 is now the biggest month in rugby history for Moldova as they attempt to reach the high echelons of European rugby, as well as keeping their World Cup dreams alive. If successful in securing promotion, then the next months ahead will be even bigger!