KEY POINTS:
TOULOUSE - Romania have included one excited newcomer in what is their strongest available team for Saturday's rugby World Cup match against the All Blacks here.
Thirteen of the 15 players who faced Italy in their important tournament-opening match will start at Le Stadium Toulouse, with the only
two changes brought about by injury.
One of the newcomers is uncapped winger Stefan Ciuntu, the 21-year-old who was called from Bucharest a week ago to replace three-tournament veteran Ionut Tofan, injured home with a torn bicep.
"For a rugby player this is a unique moment in my career. It's something unforgettable, and I'm very happy," said Ciuntu, who is listed on the right wing but hoped he would cross paths with All Blacks right winger Joe Rokocoko.
"For me, they are all heroes, but especially Joe Rokocoko. I hope to meet him as my opposite number and defend well against him."
The world No 15 Romanians, known as the Oaks, had a pre-tournament goal of winning two games but will need to topple New Zealand to do so.
They were unfortunate to go down 18-24 to Italy at Marseille but have struggled since, losing 0-42 to Scotland and securing a late 14-10 win over minnows Portugal.
There is a risk of fatigue, with just four days to recover from the Portugal loss.
Also, it will be the fourth consecutive start at the tournament for more than half the team - fullback Iulian Dumitras, second five-eighth Romeo Gontineac, first five-eighth Ionut Dimofte, No 8 Ovidiu Tonita, flanker Florin Corodeanu, lock Cristian Petre, prop Bogdan Balan and hooker Marius Tincu.
Ten of the starting 15 are based in France, mainly playing for second division clubs.
Comments from the players today suggest their expectations aren't high against the world No 1 ranked side.
Tincu backed his big pack to at least be on the pace.
"If we get into their 22, maybe we can try to put our strong points forward - our forwards," he said.
"I've played three games at this World Cup and every game our scrum is good. But New Zealand's is good too."
Said a less-bullish Dimofte: "How do you say? It will only be a pleasure because against them you can do nothing."
ROMANIA
Iulian Dumitras: Stefan Ciuntu, Csaba Gal, Romeo Gontineac, Gabriel Brezoianu: Ionut Dimofte, Lucian Sirbu; Ovidiu Tonita, Alexandru Manta, Florin Corodeanu; Cristian Petre, Sorin Socol (capt); Silviu Florea, Marius Tincu, Bogdan Balan.
Reserves: Razvan Mavrodin, Paulica Ion, Valentin Ursache, Cosmin Ratiu, Valentin Calafeteanu, Florin Vlaicu, Dav Vlad or Catalin Dascalu.
- NZPA