Apostol answers Romanian SOS

Rugby World Cup organisers have confirmed that Romanian wing Catalin Fercu has withdrawn from the tournament, saying he has been diagnosed with pneumonia.

The Romanians arrived in Invercargill earlier this week without the veteran wing, with initial reports suggesting his absence was due to a fear of flying and domestic media quoting squad captain Marius Tincu as saying the late decision was “stupid”.

RWC organisers have since announced that Fercu has been replaced by Adrian Marian Apostol.

Romania, the last team to qualify for the 2011 tournament, plays its opening World Cup match against Scotland at Invercargill on Saturday.

SAPA-AP