Veteran lock Al Charron will mark a "miracle" return from injury by captaining Canada in their opening World Cup clash against Wales.

The 37-year-old, try-scoring hero of Canada's memorable victory over Wales in 1993, underwent a total knee reconstruction on June 8.

But an intensive rehabilitation regime that pushed the boundaries of medical advice and often took up eight hours a day has seen Charron defy logic and make the World Cup.

"I didn't foresee this possibility when I damaged my knee but thanks to a great surgeon and great physiotherapists I'm ready to go, ahead of schedule," he said.

Charron was described by Canada coach David Clark as the "heartbeat of the team" and will lead a side that includes Newport prop Rod Snow, Saracens scrum-half Morgan Williams and Leeds winger Winston Stanley.

With New Zealand expected to romp through the pool, competition for the second qualification spot is fierce, with Wales, Canada, Tonga and Italy all vying to reach the quarter-finals.

But Snow believes the Canadians have it in them to pull off a shock under the Telstra Dome roof on Sunday.

"If Canada go out and play a mediocre game and Wales do the same, I think we'll come off second best," said Snow.

"I think we are going to need some sort of special performance on the day to win the game, which I think we are capable of doing."

* Canada team to play Wales in Melbourne on October 12: J Pritchard; D Lougheed, J Cannon, M Di Girolamo, W Stanley; B Ross, M Williams; R Snow, M Lawson, J Thiel, C Yukes, M James, A Charron (captain), A van Staveren, J Jackson. Replacements: A Abrams, K Tkachuk, G Cooke, J Cudmore, R Banks, E Fairhurst, R Smith.