Wales 42

Canada 17

WALES eased over their first World Cup hurdle in Nantes yesterday when they vanquished a spirited Canada team, but not without a massive scare.

Their first-half performance was abysmal as they allowed the forceful Canadians to gain the initiative, and they were confined to just three James Hook penalties, whereas Canada grabbed two tries to gain a shock 12-9 interval lead.

It got worse soon after when Canada captain Morgan Williams scored their third try for a 17-9 lead, with Wales looking all at sea and staring what would have been an unacceptable defeat in the face.

But Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, who must have been worried sick, sent on previous captains Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones - and their arrival seemed to galvanise Wales.

They responded to such effect that not only did they seize the initiative, they took complete command. They suddenly found some form and some shape, opening up Canada at will and scoring five tries and 33 unanswered points in a remarkable 16 minutes.

Sonny Parker opened the floodgates with the first try and more followed in rapid succession to completely transform the game. Shane Williams crossed twice and Alun Wyn Jones and Colin Charvis once.

But the warning signs are clearly there for Wales, with Australia to come fresh and confident after their 90-point mauling of Japan on Saturday.

Though Wales beat Canada with ease in the end, anything like the loose performance of the first half and they will be buried by the Aussies next week.

A minute's silence was observed before the match in memory of Sir Tasker Watkins, who has died after serving as Welsh Rugby Union president for 11 years.

He was honorary life vice-president of the WRU and won the Victoria Cross for bravery while serving with the Welsh Regiment in 1944 during the Second World War. The Welsh team wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

Rod Snow, the former Newport and Dragons prop, made a comeback after retiring from rugby and returned to the Canada front row.

The temperatures had cooled after a very hot day on Saturday and conditions were ideal in the bowl which is the Nantes football ground, but has been given over to rugby with all its World Cup colour, brass bands et al, for three pool matches.

Canada made the first inroads when full back Mike Pyke charged into the Welsh 22 and outside-half Ander Monro tried a snap dropped-goal shot which sailed wide of the mark.

But Wales came into it after withstanding early pressure and a 50-yard penalty shot by James Hook hit a post, but he succeeded with a much easier one after ten minutes to give his side the lead.

Wales tried to open out and Kevin Morgan ran well out off defence but Monro pegged them right back with a long touchfinder, then Martyn Williams had a kick charged down before Morgan planted a deep one into touch.

Hook doubled Wales' lead after 15 minutes with a long- range penalty and added a third from just inside the Canada half, a huge effort at just about the limit of his range.

But with Wales looking comfortable they were suddenly rocked back on their heels when Canada scored the game's first try after 27 minutes.

Centre Craig Culpan made a break into the Welsh 22 and halves Monro and Williams went close before the Canadians mounted a series of drives for the line, blindside flanker Jamie Cudmore, formerly of the Scarlets, getting the touchdown, Snow raising his arms aloft to the crowd as he got up from the ground. James Pritchard's conversion attempt flew just wide.

There was another scare for Wales when Pritchard almost latched on to a long kick by Monro, only to be penalised for going over the top and Peel able to come to Wales' rescue.

But scrum-half Williams shot away into the Welsh 22 on another burst at the base before Canada scored a sensational try.

It appeared Wales were set to score when Tom Shanklin broke through in midfield and then the forwards took over, Ian Gough running and handling well and Matthew Rees was almost over.

But with Wales switching the ball wide and an overlap try likely, Hook threw out a long pass which centre Culpan intercepted and he raced 50 yards for a try to put Canada into a shock lead. Pritchard converted to leave Wales trailing 12-10 at the interval.

Far from reviving, Wales suffered another shock just four minutes into the second half. Another drive by the pack forced Wales back to within a few yards of their own line where scrum-half and captain Morgan Williams picked up and drove to the line for Canada's third try, which Pritchard failed to improve.

A desperate situation called for desperate measures and after 48 minutes both of Wales' previous captains were sent into the fray, Gareth Thomas for Morgan at full back and Stephen Jones for Hook.

Wales responded when Shanklin broke through and Jones almost made it. Fellow replacement Thomas then thrust for the line, but got tackled before Gethin Jenkins nearly made it and when the ball came back Sonny Parker stepped inside and over for a try which Jones converted to narrow the gap to a point.

Back came Canada, Pletch barging through and Pyke carrying on only for Shane Williams to break right away but lose the ball unaccountably with Canada totally stretched.

Williams suffered more bad luck when he just lost the ball over the Canada line after Jenkins and Martyn Williams had combined well.

But Wales regained the lead they had lost so badly when a terrible mix-up in the Canada defence presented lock Alun Wyn Jones with a try which Jones again converted.

Colin Charvis replaced Martyn Williams after almost an hour in time to see a now rampant Welsh team grab their third try in ten minutes when Shane Williams shot over in the corner after being put clear by Shanklin.

The game was completely transformed and Wales were right in the driving-seat, Williams grabbing his second try in as many minutes after Wales created a massive overlap. Jones added the extra points.

It was a rout now and Charvis celebrated his arrival by barging across after Stephen Jones had done the spadework, Jones again converting.

Wales sat back after their avalanche of points and were comfortable winners after their earlier scares, but it was Canada who earned the plaudits from the neutrals in the packed crowd when the teams took the field again after the final whistle.

Wales: K Morgan (G Thomas 48), M Jones, T Shanklin, S Parker, S Williams, J Hook (S Jones 48), D Peel, captain (M Phillips 65), G Jenkins, M Rees, A Jones (D Jones 68), I Gough (M Owen 65), A Wyn Jones, J Thomas, A Popham, M Williams (C Charvis 59).

Scorers - tries: S Parker, A W Jones, S Williams (2), C Charvis; conversions: S Jones (4); penalties: J Hook (3).

Canada: M Pyke, D van der Merwe, C Culpan, D Spicer, J Pritchard, A Munro (R Smith 63), M Williams (captain), R Snow (D Pletch 56), P Riordan, J Thiel (M Pletch 36), L Tait (M Burak 68), M James, J Cudmore (A Carpenter 61), S M Stephen, D Biddle (C Jukes 63).

Scorers - tries: J Cudmore, C Culpan, M Williams; conversions: J Pritchard.

Referee: Mr A Rolland (Ireland).