606: DEBATE Your thoughts on Romania v Portugal

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By Rob Hodgetts

81mins: "RWC 2007 has brought us fans some interesting moments - tonight being a superb example of how entertaining rugby can be without getting any of the basics right."
Doinker2 on 606

This tournament has also brought us gems such as this:

"Has anyone met dan dumbrava's talented siblings? They're called dmitri dumberava and nikoli dumbererava..."
Gunner_Australia on 606.

80 mins: Romania make one last stand deep in Portguese territory and unleash a ferocious scrum on Portugal's ball. But the thin red line holds firm and they try to run out from their own 22. The ball hits the deck and referee Paul Honiss blows up. Clearly not literally, but you know what I mean.

77 mins: That's torn it. Portugal infringe and Romania's Dan Dumbrava steps up to bang what could be the winning penalty through the uprights. Apart from he doesn't, as it hits the left stick and bounces back.

75 mins: Lots of mistakes kicking about new...see, there's one of my own! Only joking, I mean on the pitch, as one side after another spills the ball or knocks on as they fight desperately to the end. One piece of genius (everything's relative), or one mistake could win this.

70 mins: TRY Romania 14-10 Portugal
Leaving the sillyness aside for a sec, Romania are camped on Portugal's line and bashing at it with their big men. The try was always going to come, and Romania crash over through Florin Corodeanu, as Dan Dumbrava slots the conversion in light drizzle. I should add that the drizzle is over everyone, not just Dan Dumbrava.

But back to the banter and Hounsdown_Harrier says on 606: "Woooooo Portugal! Wooooo!... Erm. Sorry about that. Bit embarassing, really."

68 mins: PENALTY Romania 7-10 Portugal
Back on planet rugby, Portugal win a penalty in Romania's half and with the scores locked up a three-pointer here could be crucial. Replacement Goncalo Malheiro slots a good looker.

65 mins: Here we go, now you're getting it. This from Welshcol on 606.

"End to end stuff and although not the best technical rugby you can not say its not exciting.

"Thought the Canada v Japan match would be a hard act to follow but its living up to expectations. Well done the underdogs AGAIN for some great skills, stacks of pride in their performance and for some great entertainment."

Meanwhile, Nardol-Chappuchino says: "I love Ireland".

This sort of prattle is the text commentary equivalent of a Mexican wave.

62 mins: TRY Romania 7-7 Portugal
Yeeessss, that's game and the second leg to Marius Tincu. Or as we say in rugby, Romania catch-and-drive from the line-out and replacement hooker Tincu rumbles over for the try. Valentin Calafeteanu converts.

61 mins: Romania are building some pressure here but they seem intent on kicking away possession with a series of little grubbers. But then Portugal stray offside and Romania kick for touch, hoping to rumble one over.

58 mins: "I LOVE PORTUGAL!" says ZenTaylor on 606. Then someone adds "I LOVE ROMANIA AS WELL".

Turns out it's our old mate ZenTaylor again. Two things: 1) Zen - are you bored? 2) Anyone else want to comment on this match?

55 mins: From the line-out, Portugal's Penalva is penalised for bringing down the ruck and Dumitras kicks for the corner again. The yellow peril hammer at the line until referee Paul Honiss half puts his hand up for the try and then refers his decision upstairs to the video official. The ruling is no try, so Honiss says Romania knocked it on and awards Portugal a scrum right on their line. Duarte Pinto is able to scramble a kick clear.

53 mins: Romania win a penalty as a Portugal forward takes out a player without the ball and Iulian Dumitras steps up to bang the ball into the corner.

50 mins: One thing that has marked this game out is some very poor kicking, from both sides, as Portugal waste some good ball.

47 mins: It's turned into a a kids' pantomime as the crowd boo, hiss and jeer and shout "he's behind you". All right, they didn't say the last bit, but they did boo as one of the Romanian forwards, possibly Christian Petre, is seen lashing out with his foot. But he escapes any recriminations because, despite his best efforts, he was just stamping on fresh air.

45 mins: Romania fly-half Dan Dumbrava hoists a huge up-and-under but it bounces under the posts and boings off into the stands. Bit of a waste, really.

44 mins: It's an edgy opening to the second-half with neither side gaining or ceding much territory. Rather like trench warfare.

41 mins: Romania have brought on Marius Tincu at hooker for Razvan Mavrodin. Portugal kick-off the second half.

40 mins: That's half-time. Not vintage rugby by any means, but it's certainly a contest and there's no knowing at this stage who will win. Which is a good thing.

38 mins: Portugal, surprisingly for a smaller pack, somehow push Romania off their own scrum and surge forward. But Romania turn it over and clear well down field.

36 mins: Portugal look dangerous on the break and full-back Pedro Leal surges up the left flank, chipping over the cover and forcing a line-out to Portugal deep in Romania's half. The ball is fed right but Duarte Pinto's drop-goal effort is poor.

Might have been some off-the-ball biffo earlier in that move, too.

34 mins: Romania blow another chance after good work from the backs, giving away a penalty in the Portugal 22.

31 mins: Portugal's Duarte Pinto certainly seems to be playing to a plan and tries another little probing kick into the corner. Goes dead this time, but it could reap rewards later.

29 mins: Despite the fact that they're leading, Portugal are edging ever so slightly into this game. Another probing kick deep into the Romania 22 sets up good field position but Romania clear for now.

27 mins: Whatever your thoughts on a minnows v minnows game, I bet it will be a cracking night out in Toulouse tonight. Better than in Le Bush du Shepherd, anyway.

25 mins: Another attritional few minutes as Romania muscle a few hard-won yards into the Portuguese half.

By the way, Romania definitely have the tightest shorts at the World Cup. They're very smart, don't get me wrong. Just tight.

21 mins: Romanian full-back Iulian Dumitras tries a monster drop-goal but he's a bit wayward.

18 mins: TRY Romania 0-5 Portugal
Outrageous! Totally against the run of play, Portugal score. Winning his 84th cap, the oldest member of Portugal's squad - at 34 - Joaquim Ferreira - crashes over from a close-range line-out. Duarte Pinto converts.

As for that band, they're banging out "Roll out the barrell". In Toulouse. Which is in France. Brilliant.

15 mins: Another very good band in the stadium tonight. Not sure if it's the same one everywhere, but there always seems to be drums and rasping trumpets in the background at this World Cup. For those lucky enough to have gone out, or who are going out, I would suggest the atmosphere out in France is probably great.

Back to the rugby, and Portugal winger Aguilar makes a dangerous solo break up the middle to set up Portugal's best moment so far.

13 mins: Portugal edge forward on a rare excursion into the Romanian half but the big yellow pack answer in kind and return the drive with interest.

10 mins: Romania stage another promising attack through centre Gontineac but he eventually fumbles the ball and the move breaks down. It's only a matter of time, you would think, as long as they don't make a mess of it themselves.

9 mins: The Romanian pack has plenty more grunt than that of Portugal and as a result the Portuguese could struggle for ball here.

7 mins: This game could turn out to be quite a laugh. The Romanian left wing Fercu makes a swift break and is in acres of space before tripping himself up and letting Portugal off the hook.

5 mins: The Romanians are on the front foot in the early exchanges but haven't really strung any lengthy phases together yet.

2 mins: Romania are sporting vivid yellow shirts, royal blue shirts and red socks, while Portugal are in red and green shirts and white shorts. Scotland and New Zealand, are you watching? That's how to tell each other apart.

1900: Romania kick off as both sets of forward thunder into each other in what is their own World Cup final.

1850: Portugal and Romania go into Tuesday night's clash in Toulouse knowing the result will decide who finishes bottom of the group.

Portugal are winless in three games, while Romania have scored one losing bonus point (against Italy) from two defeats.