Athlete of the week
The rugby player Ovidiu Cojocaru
Florin Orban, 11.11.2025, 13:45
The Romanian rugby team started its autumn test match season. The first test match of the Oaks took place on Saturday, in Bucharest. Romania beat Canada 31 to 21, after a game in which it scored 3 tries, thanks to Ovidiu Cojocaru, Cristi Chirica and Tevita Manumua. Alin Conache converted 2 tries and scored 4 penalties. The North Americans also managed 3 tries, thanks to Matthew Oworu, Piers von Dedelszen and Noah Flesch, all converted by Peter Nelson.
The captain of the Romanian team was Ovidiu Cojocaru, who took the opportunity to announce his retirement from the Romanian national team. For the years in which he wore the jersey of the top national team and for his contribution to many major results of the team, Radio Romania International designates Ovidiu Cojocaru the Athlete of the Week.
Ovidiu Cojocaru was born in Pașcani (east), on November 19, 1996. He began his rugby career in the junior squad of the CFR Pașcani club. He also played for Cleopatra Mamaia, and since 2015, he has played for CSM Știința Baia Mare.
He plays as a hooker, a player who, in the standard rugby team, wears the number 2 jersey. In June 2017, he was invited for the first time to play for the national team, in a test match against Brazil. He has played for the Oaks 41 times.
At only 29 years of age, Ovidiu Cojocaru decided to retire from the national team to focus on his club team, CSM Știința Baia Mare, and on his family. He explained his reasons in an interview posted on the Romanian Rugby Federation’s home page.
The first 2 matches of the national team without Ovidiu Cojocaru will be part of this autumn training season. The first one takes place on Saturday, against the United States, and will be followed by a match against Uruguay, on November 22. (AMP)
