Information checked: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, 4:19 p.m. UTC (Bucharest, Eastern European Time, EET, UTC+02:00: 6:19 p.m.).
Romania and Tonga are set to open round four of the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup at Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m. EET (UTC+02:00), or 16:30 UTC. Both teams have named their match-day XVs, and Australia’s Angus Gardner is the referee. The latest official match-center listing still shows the fixture as upcoming at the time checked, so there is no confirmed result yet.
The matchup is a chance for both sides to improve on a mixed July series: World Rugby says Romania and Tonga each took one win from their first three Nations Cup rounds. The teams also bring contrasting recent history. Romania won their most recent meeting, 25-15 in Bucharest in November 2024, while Tonga won 45-24 at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
World Rugby lists the match for Friday, Nov. 6, at Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest. Romania’s rugby federation gives the local start as 6:30 p.m. Romania is on Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+02:00) on that date, after daylight saving time ended in late October; the corresponding kickoff is 16:30 UTC. The fixture opens round four of the November Nations Cup series.
World Rugby appointed Angus Gardner of Australia as referee. Saba Abulashvili and Saba Makharadze are the assistant referees, with Stefano Penne as television match official. The officials matter in a contest expected to test both teams at the breakdown and in the set piece, where decisions over contesting possession, offside lines, and scrum stability can shape territory and scoring chances.
Romania’s federation announced a 23-player match-day squad on Nov. 5. Boboc captains a starting pack that includes Logan Weidner and Adrian Moțoc in the second row, with Alin Conache and Daniel Plai at halfback. Adrian Țală is listed among the replacements and is in line for his international debut, according to the federation.
Romania starting XV: 1 Iulian Hartig, 2 Tudor Butnariu, 3 Cosmin Manole, 4 Logan Weidner, 5 Adrian Moțoc, 6 Cristi Boboc (captain), 7 Keanan Murray, 8 Etienne Terblanche, 9 Alin Conache, 10 Daniel Plai, 11 Iliesa Tiqe, 12 Taylor Gontineac, 13 Nicolas Onuțu, 14 Tevita Manumua, 15 Marius Simionescu.
Romania replacements: 16 Adrian Țală, 17 Alexandru Savin, 18 Jean-Pierre Smith, 19 Ștefan Iancu, 20 Adrian Mitu, 21 Gabriel Rupanu, 22 Ștefan Cojocariu, 23 Atila Septar.
Tonga’s published team sheet names Fetuli Paea as captain, with Siaosi Nginingini and Patrick Pellegrini forming the halfback pairing. Dragons RFC’s squad announcement also identifies Paea and Fine Inisi in the centers, Anzelo Tuitavuki on the wing, and Efitusi Ma’afu and Manu Vunipola among the reserves.
Tonga starting XV: 1 Siegfried Fisiihoi, 2 Siua Maile, 3 Paula Latu, 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 5 Justin Mataele, 6 Samuel Tuitupou, 7 Semisi Paea, 8 Lotu Inisi, 9 Siaosi Nginingini, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 12 Fetuli Paea (captain), 13 Fine Inisi, 14 John Tapueluelu, 15 Taniela Filimone.
Tonga replacements: 16 Efitusi Ma’afu, 17 Toma Taufa, 18 Phil Kite, 19 Leva Fifita, 20 Otunuku Pauta, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Manu Vunipola, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
The team sheets point to the halfback contest as one early area to watch: Conache and Plai will direct Romania, while Nginingini and Pellegrini do the same for Tonga. If Romania can use its home ground to build pressure through disciplined phases and the kicking game, it could make Tonga defend repeatedly. If Tonga wins collisions and turns those phases into quick ball for its outside backs, the visitors may be able to attack before the Romanian line resets. These are tactical possibilities, not a prediction of the final score.
The historical record adds context but cannot determine the result. World Rugby’s preview says the nations have split their six meetings since 2013, with three wins each. Romania’s 25-15 victory in 2024 came in Bucharest; Tonga’s 45-24 World Cup win in 2023 shows the threat it can pose when it gets attacking momentum. Both teams were ranked close together in World Rugby’s latest pre-match preview, with Tonga 19th and Romania 21st.
World Rugby’s official match page advertises a free live stream on RugbyPass TV for every Nations Cup match. Availability, platform access, or any local broadcast listing can vary by country, so viewers should confirm the match on RugbyPass TV or with a local rights holder before kickoff. The World Rugby match center is also the primary place to check the live timeline and the final score once the game is complete.
No. At 4:19 p.m. UTC on Nov. 6, kickoff was still scheduled for 16:30 UTC and the official match center showed no final score. This preview therefore does not report a winner or score. A result should be added only after World Rugby or either national union confirms it.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EET (UTC+02:00) in Bucharest on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, which is 16:30 UTC.
Cristi Boboc captains Romania, and Fetuli Paea captains Tonga.
No. The match had not kicked off at the time of the latest check, so no official result was available.
Romania and Tonga meet in Bucharest on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. EET (16:30 UTC). Check the venue, Angus Gardner’s officiating team, named leaders, Nations Cup stakes and result status.
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