Heady days before the mighty Oaks tumbled

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

- Brendan Gallagher

What’s happening here?

It’s December 10, 1988, and Romania scrum-half Daniel Neaga is throwing out a textbook dive pass at Cardiff Arms Park, hotly pursued by Wales scrum-half Robert Jones and flanker Richie Collins. Wales, the reigning Five Nations champions and a side that had finished third in the World Cup the previous year, were well beaten on the day going down 15-9 to the Oaks. Hooker Gheorge Ion scored their try and fly-half Gelu Ignat added a conversion and three penalties.

What’s the story behind the picture?

Rugby missing the bus is the main theme! This is one of the last shots fired in anger by a Romania side that if there had been a World Cup in, say 1983, might well have been contenders for the title. They comprised mainly those playing domestically for the Romania Army, Rail and company sides and others who had based themselves in France where there was a large ex-pat Romania population and you could earn a decent living as a “mercenary”.