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Rugby Union

Late tries save Wales blushes

09/09/2007

Wales survived a huge scare to beat Canada 42-17 in their rugby World Cup opener in Nantes.

The Dragons were on the verge of a disaster after trailing by eight points at the start of the second half.

Tries from Sonny Parker, Alun Wyn Jones, Colin Charvis, and a brace from Shane Williams saved Wales' blushes.

Canada scored three tries through Dave Biddle, Craig Culpan, and skipper Morgan Williams.

Wales, skippered by Dwayne Peel for the first time, made a solid start with James Hook kicking three penalties in the opening 20 minutes.

But the Canadians scored the first try of the game on 24 minutes with Biddle bundling over the line.

Twelve minutes later, Canada increased their lead when centre Culpan plucked Hook's woeful pass from the air and sprinted 80 metres to touch down.

Wales trailed by 17-9 at half-time after skipper Williams dived over as Canada dominated the Dragons' defence with their physical pack.

Stephen Jones and Gareth Thomas came on at the break for the Welsh to spark a comeback.

It reaped rewards as Jones fed Parker who touched down to reduce the gap to a single point on 52 minutes.

Five minutes later, the Dragons went back into the lead when Jones punished some shambolic defending to pounce.

Wales then scored three tries in eight minutes starting with Williams finishing off a sweeping move on 62 minutes.

Williams grabbed his second two minutes later after collecting Gareth Thomas' pass.

Charvis completed the rout on 68 minutes after substitute Jones' stunning break.

Wales' next match is against Japan on September 20th.