Romania have played in every Rugby World Cup, preserving that record by beating Uruguay in a home and away play-off to become the 20th and final qualifier.
While they have never got past pool play they have scored a number of wins including against Zimbabwe in 1987, Fiji in 1991, the USA in 1999, Namibia in 2003 and Portugal in 2007.
Known as The Oaks, Romania also have the almost obligatory Kiwi connection - their assistant coach is 1987 World Cup-winning All Black prop Steve McDowell.
The Romanians are in pool B and start by playing Scotland in Invercargill on 10 September before taking on England and Argentina.
They are targeting their last match, against regional rivals Georgia in Palmerston North on 28 September, as their best chance of a win.
Flanker Ovidiu Tonita, who is one of a number of Romanian players who play their club rugby in France, says their objective is to play some good matches against the strong teams, then beat their big rivals Georgia.
