Thunderstorms brought an early halt to play on day two of the World Rugby Nations Cup with the final game between Romania and Uruguay less than halfway through.

The Oaks were leading 18-0 following tries from hooker Otar Turashvili and wing Stephen Shennan, with Florin Vlaicu adding two conversions and a penalty, when a lightning strike over the stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest prompted Argentine referee Damian Schneider to take the players off the field for a second time. Tournament officials subsequently deemed it unsafe for them to continue and the match will resume at the exact point it was suspended, on 36 minutes, at 15:00 local time on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Argentina XV picked up their second bonus-point win of the competition in beating Emerging Italy 40-30, while Namibia scored with virtually the last play of the game to break Spanish hearts.

ARGENTINA XV 40-30 EMERGING ITALY

Argentina XV took another step forward in their bid to win World Rugby Nations Cup 2016 after recording their second bonus-point win of the tournament in the first match of the day, against Emerging Italy.

Felipe Contepomi’s side looked to have had the game sewn up by half-time after establishing a 32-8 lead thanks to two tries from Joaquin Paz and scores from Segundo Tuculet and Joaquin Bonilla, who successfully converted all four, to one in reply from Italian number eight, Renato Giammarioli, which fly-half Maicol Azzolini converted.

However, Emerging Italy came out fighting after the break and tries from full-back Andrea Ippolito, hooker Adriano Daniele and winger Gabriele di Guilio brought them to within two points of the Americas Rugby Championship winners with just under 10 minutes left to play.

Argentina XV made the game safe, though, when Romanian referee Vlad Iordachescu awarded them a penalty try with five minutes to go after the Italians folded under pressure in the scrum, an area where they had enjoyed the upper hand for much of the game.

"We played two different styles in the two halves, very much like in the opening match," reflected Argentina XV head coach Felipe Contepomi.

"This time,it was the first half that was better. For me, it's more important how we play rather than the result."

Emerging Italy skipper Federico Conforti was pleased with the fighting spirit his side showed. "A loss is always a loss, but I am very proud of my guys, especially the second half which was quite impressive."

NAMIBIA 34-32 SPAIN

Namibia snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after winger Russel Van Wyk struck late on and Theuns Kotze knocked over the all-important conversion to deny Spain.

The Welwitschias’ chances of a first victory over Los Leones in 15 years looked remote when they trailed 24-8 at the start of the second period and then 32-26 with seconds to go.

However, Phil Davies’ side kept their composure and Van Wyk sealed their first Nations Cup win in five outings when he gathered in a well-weighted chip kick and stepped inside the last defender with time virtually up.

Namibia made a strong start to the match and were the first on the scoreboard through centre JC Greyling, but the lead only lasted three minutes as Spain hit back with a try for flanker Jose Luis del Valle.

Both tries were converted and the scores remained locked at 8-8 until Spain were awarded a penalty try on 24 minutes.

Namibia lost winger Gino Wilson to the sin-bin shortly after the restart and Spain made them pay within seconds, scrum-half Facundo Munilla scampering over the line for Los Leones’ third try. With full-back Sergi Aubanell converting Spain found themselves 24-8 up.

As the forecast heavy rain began to fall the pace of the game dropped and Namibia clawed their way back into the contest

When Spain lost prop Fernando Martin Lopez to the sin-bin on 51 minutes Namibia capitalised to score through lock Janco Venter. RWC 2015 star Kotze added the extras and then converted his own try to level the scores.

Kotze struck the first penalty of the game to put Namibia in front for the first time in over an hour, but Spain looked to have won it when Aubanell joined a mass forward drive and forced his way over the line from close range, before adding the extras.

At the other end, though, Aubanell was powerless to stop Van Wyk in full flight after the winger gathered in Kotze’s delicate chip kick 15 metres out without breaking stride and touched down near the posts, giving Kotze the simplest of conversions to win the match.

Welwitschias head coach Phil Davies was adamant his side deserved the victory. "It was not a question of luck. I think we showed a lot of character and skill that helped us win the game against a very good side."