Canada got their Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign off to a flying start with a tight but deserved victory over Tonga in Northland on Wednesday evening.
It was a closely-contested and committed affair from both sides, with errors and a healthy penalty count illustrating the teams' sometimes over-determination to gain the upper hand; but with the Canucks out-scoring their South Sea Island opposition three tries to two, few could argue that the final score was the right one.
But it was Tonga that got off to the better start with some fast-paced and strong running from forwards and backs alike asking immediate questions of Canada's defence. The composed retention of ball was encouraging to watch and when right wing Fetu Vainikolo smashed through the line a try looked odds-on to be scored, but with 5 metres to the try line the Highlanders flyer lost control of the ball as he went to ground.
Despite their strong attacking start, Tonga were looking very shaky in defence under the high ball, and some erratic passing from fly half for the day Taniela Moa put his team under all sorts of pressure on their own line - though Canada themselves were finding keeping possession difficult in the early stages.
The deadlock was broken on 13 minutes through new London Irish recruit Jebb Sinclair. After good initial play by openside Chauncey O'Toole on the far left, strong work from danger man DTH van der Merwe in midfield to break the line and offload to Ryan Smith opened up space for Canada and a neat pop-pass inside to the marauding Sinclair provided the opportunity for the imposing second row to crash over from close range for his 2nd International try. Full back James Pritchard had no problems with the conversion and Canada led 7-0 after quarter of an hour.
Tonga didn't have to wait long to be presented with another chance to open their scoring account, as referee Jonathan Kaplan pinged Canada for being offside around the fringes from in front of their own posts. Full back Kurt Morath was wayward with his penalty effort however, and a second attempt moments later after O'Toole was penalised for hands in the ruck missed by an even greater distance.
In contrast, Canada's first 3-pointer was effortlessly converted by Pritchard, capitalising on an offside Tongan back line, to push the score out to 10-0 after 25 minutes.
The Tongans were clearly full of endeavour but frustratingly lax, being constantly let down by poor handling skills, as move after move broke down with a knock-on and up-and-unders being dealt with with no more confidence than displayed in the initial phases of play.
Canada were dealt a huge blow just after the half-hour mark when the omnipresent O'Toole was forced off the field injured, to be replaced by second row Tyler Hotson - with Jamie Cudmore switching to the flank.
The Canucks discipline was not improving as the half wore on and despite his marvellous facial hair, Adam Kleeburger was penalised by Kaplan for offside 2 minutes before half-time.
With the wind clearly a factor in Morath's kicking performance, Tonga opted for touch instead, hoping that their brave call would reap greater rewards than a shot at goal.
Despite some uncompromising defence from Canada the gamble paid off on the stroke of half-time. After 18 phases of the ball being taken in and crashed up against a solid wall of black, an opportunity was spotted and possession spun wide with the Tongan backs exploiting acres of space and a distinct lack of outside defenders for Siale Piutau to canter over for his side's first points of the half. The conversion was successfully knocked over as the hooter sounded, with Tonga right back in the game at 10-7 as the two teams jogged off for the interval.
The scores were level 2 minutes after the re-start, when Kleeberger was adjudged to have held on in the tackle for too long - Morath bumping up his kicking stats with a successful penalty.
Canada had regained the lead within minutes however, Pritchard stroking over from close range.
With both sides showing strength and determination in the middle of the park, it was Tonga who made the break-through on 53 minutes, Piutau again making an incisive line-break following a clever switch in midfield that caught Canada off-guard and allowed the Highlanders centre to outpace lazy forwards in the line and go over for his second score of the night. The conversion was duly put between the sticks and Tonga now led for the first time in the match, 17-13.
The Islanders clearly had their tails up and looked to take advantage of a disheartened Canada XV by extending their lead still further, but a lack of composure and discipline prevented a quick-fire follow-up score.
It did come in the form of 3 more points just after the hour mark, after an offence at the scrum, Tonga taking a 20-13 lead and, seemingly, a firm grip on the fixture.
But back came Canada with desire and passion for the contest and an Aaron Carpenter try in the 67th minute made for an enthralling final 10 minutes.
From a Finau Maka knock-on, Canada swept wide, with replacement Conor Trainor charging towards the line. The back-row was eventually brought down, but quick ball was provided for Carpenter and the Number 8 used all of his might to shake off tacklers and dot down to the great delight of the rest of the Canadian team.
The conversion was narrowly missed, but the impetus was definitely with the North Americans going in to the closing stages of the game.
A penalty awarded for Tongan forwards entering a ruck from the side gave Canada a chance for a shot at goal, but with the wind contributing to less than confident kicking displays the posts were refused and touch was found deep in Tongan territory.
With the ball won at the resulting line-out Canada's forwards began to drive towards the opposition line, making great in-roads through the heart of the defence. Some commendable collective power from the pack brought play up to within metres of the try line, the ball was whipped out with fly half Ander Monro stepping a would-be tackler, setting up another phase before left wing Phil Mackenzie used his initiative, reacting first to pick the ball up at the base of the ruck and dive over the whitewash; Pritchard added a simple conversion - 25-20 to Canada with 6 minutes to play.
With Tonga pressing for the try that would level the match going into the dying phases of play, Canada showed tremendous courage in defence to keep the ball off the floor and force a vital turnover.
The Canucks saw out the final moments with the ball staying in the forwards until the 80 minutes were up, whereupon scrum half Ed Fairhurst gleefully punted into touch to spark jubilant scenes in Whangarai.
Star Man: Aaron Carpenter (Canada) - The Number 8 showed admirable willingness to tackle anything that came his way, made good yardage with ball in hand and scored the try that spurred on the Canucks memorable fightback.
5-metre flop: Kurt Morath (Tonga) - Slightly harsh on the full back, but two relatively easy penalty kicks missed early in the game ultimately proved costly.
.jpg "England were in good form against Canada ahead of WXV")
