Romania defeated Samoa with 17 - 13 in the match played in Bucharest returning after the score was 3 - 13 at the 50th minute.
The previous and only victory against the Samoan took place in Bucharest in October 1989.
The match played at the Arc de Triomphe stadium in Bucharest had two completely discrete parts: in the first Manu Samoa dominated totally, and after the break the Stejarii returned to strength, as they did two years ago at the World Cup in front of Canada when they were remounted from 0 to 15 to 17 to 15.
The Samoan, ranked 16th in the world hierarchy, with a place under Stejari, virtually monopolized the ball in the first part of the game, when Romania was forced to defend itself, sometimes with despair.
Midfielder Florin Vlaicu opened the penalty shootout score in the game, the Samoans equaled by his counterpart Tim Nanai-Williams and after a period of intense dominance they scored the first a few minutes before the break.
Nanai-Williams turned in a dismal performance, 1-2 minutes into the game, and scored for 13 - 3 with a penalty kick. It was going to be the moment when the game changed.
Change of tactics
Vlaicu and his partner midfielder Florin Surugiu began bombing the Samoans with high-pitched pursuits, which proved to be an inspiring tactic that created panic in defending the guests.
In the 58th minute after a series of repeated phases of the Romanian forerunners, Andrei Rădoi found a break through the Samoan maul, he stepped in the target field and marked the first Stejarii essay.
"I felt in the previous mauls that the Samoans are putting pressure on where the ball is caught, and I thought I would run out of that area and it was a surprise to both myself and my opponents," explained Radi.
"I am very pleased with the result, we have to work on rugby because it was not what we tried to do," Stevens coach Lynn Howells told RFI.
"But the result is the most important. It's been 28 years since we defeated the Samoans, which is very important," Howells added.
"I am very happy, I am very pleased to have defeated Samoa in Bucharest, not many people expected this result but we showed manhood, we were very united after the first half when we were led," Surugiu told RFI.
The Samoans were obviously disappointed and surprised by the outcome. Nanai Williams barely found his words after the game.
"Honor to the Romanians, they came out in front of their supporters, they were more passionate and animated than we were and they achieved a deserved victory," said Nanai-Williams, a New Zealander of Samoan origin.