Romania have called on the International Rugby Board to spread World Cup profits to the sport's developing nations or risk losing them forever.

Speaking after Romania opened their campaign with a 57-9 loss to Australia, the team's technical director John Phillips said countries like Romania needed immediate help from the IRB if they were to continue competing at international level.

"If they are really serious about doing something for the game worldwide then they should be putting money into the countries that need it, and not worry about the countries that already have plenty of money," Phillips said.

The IRB announced on the eve of the World Cup they would hand more than £340,000 in grants to eight minor teams in the tournament to help towards their costs.