By Andrew Collins
September 10 2007

A terrible first half performance by the Welsh nearly allowed a huge upset in Group B, as Canada scored 3 unanswered tries before the introduction of Gareth Thomas and Steven Jones.

Under fire coach Gareth Jenkins would've been contemplating whether or not to ever return to Wales at half time in the Sunday fixture, as Canada went in 12-9 up at the break, scoring two tries to Wales nil!

It was a limp and pathetic display by the side that just 2 years ago were crowned Grand Slam Champions.

The tactics employed by Wales in the first half begged belief, with them seemingly playing to the Canucks strengths, rather than using the quick, wide, unpredictable style that is so commonly associated with the Welsh.

Instead, they tried to slow the game, play it in the forwards and employ a kicking game.

45 minutes into the match, Canada scored their 3^rd try, and were leading 17-9, and could've been even more ahead if Pritchard had added 2 extra conversions which he missed.

Tries from Jamie Cudmore, Braig Culpan and the impressive scrum half, Morgan Williams put them in the driving seat, before Gareth Jenkins had the bottle to throw on big guns in the form of Gareth Thomas, Colin Charvis and the match turning Steven Jones.

Suddenly the Welsh looked back to their best, running from angles, throwing the ball about in high risk, high reward rugby, and cutting trough the defence.

Tom Shanklin was instrumental in the second half, as Steven Jones return seemed to boost the side's confidence no end. His orchestration from 10 was sublime, and within minutes of his arrival, Wales scored their first of 5 tries before taking their foot off the gas for the final 10 minutes.

Sonny Parker crossed first, with Alun Wyn Jones, Colin Charvis and Shane Williams (twice) crossing shortly after.

However encouraging the comeback was, Welsh fans were left terrified by the thought that Jenkins is still no clearer t knowing his best XV, with the biggest match of the past 4 years looming next Friday.

There will be nowhere to hide in their home Millennium Stadium, and nor will they be allowed to concede 3 first half tries or try to tire the top seeded Australians. They will need to perform from the off, and having the best side he can on the field, is crucial if Jenkins is to secure an unlikely win.

As for the Canadians, they can take a lot of heart from their opening loss, with Wales always likely to win the match, and most expected the deficit to be more than the final 42-17 score line.

They played their game well, and looked sharp in the backs. They took their tries well, and as Culpan's length of the field interception highlighted, they're not afraid to take risks.

They can certainly build on that, with their fitness the biggest cause for concern. However, they should find Fiji and Japan a lot easier opponents, and though qualification now looks unlikely, they should now be aiming for a 3^rd spot and an encouraging display against the Aussies.

They've said that this is the last time they will enter a World Cup as semi-professional players, and on this display, teams such as Wales, Scotland, Italy among others, better sit up and take note.

But going back once more to the situation in Wales, they will be happy with the opening win, and it will do a lot to settle nerves and build confidence going into the big match with Australia. They always tend to do better as the underdog, and do have a chance to shock the rugby world.

Gareth Jenkins has had a torrid time in charge so far, but he's shown at Llanelli, the "Cup Kings", and as the British Lions midweek side, that he knows how to inspire when the big occasions arise, and the squad will know, this is the biggest occasion of them all.

For players like Gareth Thomas, Colin Charvis and perhaps even Steven Jones, this is their last chance to become World Cup heroes. When Jenkins has his finest squad available and out on the pitch, maybe, just maybe we could see the best of Wales.

Final Score:

Wales (9) 42
Tries: Parker, AW Jones, Williams (2), Charvis
Cons: Jones (4)
Pens: Hook (3)

Canada (12) 17
Tries: Cudmore, Culpan, Williams
Cons: Pritchard

Wales Coach Gareth Jenkins;
"It wasn't the greatest of starts - there were certain players affected by the occasion. We were allowing Canada to play the way they wanted and weren't influencing the management of the game properly. Our first half was poor but what was important was that we kept our composure,"

"It's great to win, it's the start we wanted. I said if we had the performance I'd be happy, but a win was the most important thing. "Australia is going to be a different level of rugby and I don't think we are going to get away with performing like the way we did today if we have got an aspiration of beating them, that's for sure."

Wales Winger Shane Williams;
"There were some nervous times out there," he said. "We knew the mentality Canada had but they doubled it. We made far too many mistakes in the first half.

"We gave away too many penalties in silly places where we didn't need to. We lost territory and it meant they got momentum and they scored tries. It was maybe the kick up the backside we needed."

Wales:
Morgan; M Jones, Shanklin, Parker, S Williams; Hook, Peel (capt); G Jenkins, M Rees, A Jones, Gough, AW Jones, J Thomas, M Williams, Popham.

T Rhys Thomas, D Jones, Owen, Charvis, Phillips, S Jones, G Thomas.

Canada:
Pyke; Van der Merwe, Culpan, Spicer, Pritchard; Monro, Williams (capt); Snow, Riordan, Thiel, Tait, James, Cudmore, Biddle, Stephen.

Carpenter, D Pletch, M Pletch, Burak, Yukes, Fairhurst, Smith.

Referee: A Rolland (Ireland)