World Cup regulars Romania narrowly avoided a huge upset when two tries in the last half hour gave them a 14-10 win over Portugal's remarkable amateurs in their Pool C match on Tuesday.

Portugal, who scored a try in each of their four matches, earned their first World Cup bonus point for the narrow loss.

The Portuguese, hugely popular with the crowds in France, were 7-0 up at halftime after hooker Joaquim Ferreira, their captain for the night, went over from a lineout and fly-half Duarte Cardoso Pinto converted.

Romania had to wait for more than an hour to get on the scoreboard when replacement hooker Marius Tincu, having taken the throw at a lineout, went over from the maul and scrum-half Valentin Calafeteanu converted to level the score.

Portugal, with Cardoso Pinto giving them the edge in the tactical kicking for the better part of an hour, went in front again 11 minutes from time when his replacement at fly-half, Goncalo Malheiro, put over a loudly cheered penalty.

However, the Romanians' pressure in the forwards finally gave them the win despite some stern defending by the popular Portuguese side, who can leave the tournament with their heads held high.

Romania's pack camped on the Portuguese tryline with 10 minutes to go and after more than a minute's pressure, replacement back-row forward Florin Corodeanu went over.

Fly-half Dan Dumbrava's conversion ended the scoring as his long range penalty two minutes from time came back off the post.

The result leaves Romania, who have played in all six World Cups and had earned a bonus point from their narrow loss to Italy in their opening pool match, with one win per tournament barring 1995 when they lost all three games.

The Romanians have to play title favourites New Zealand on Saturday but that match is hardly likely deliver an upset.

Reuters