Canada 23 Japan 23: Monro’s boot keeps Japan waiting
Shota Horie and Kosuke Endo scored tries and James Arlidge added 13 points from the boot for Japan, who were seeking to end their Pool A campaign on a high.
But Canada, who beat Tonga earlier and meet New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday, scored tries through DTH van der Merwe, Phil Mackenzie and Ander Monro. James Pritchard kicked a conversion and Monro a penalty before the latter added another late on to tie the scores and prevent Japan ending a winless World Cup run.
Four years ago, the sides drew 12-12 in France.
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Hide AdNeil Jenkins says that “fancy-dan football” will not be enough to dazzle the southern hemisphere heavyweights.
Wales can guarantee a quarter-final berth if they beat Pool D opponents Fiji on Sunday, although their place will effectively be booked two days earlier should Samoa finish with nothing against world champions South Africa.
“We have played against a lot of southern hemisphere sides over the last four years or so, and I think we realise you can’t play fancy-dan football to beat these type of teams,” said Jenkins.
“You have got to be physical, just as they are.
“We have worked a hell of a lot on the contact area, and I think it has shown in the way we have played.”