| Canada (21) 42 |
| Tries: de Goede, Svoboda, Grant, Hunt, Boag, Lachance Cons: de Goede 6 |
| Wales (17) 22 |
| Tries: Phillips, Evans, Callender Cons: Bevan 2 Pen: Bevan |
Wales threatened to end a 17-year losing streak to Canada before they were eventually overpowered in their opening game of WXV1 in Wellington.
Ioan Cunningham’s side went toe-to-toe with one of the powerhouses of women’s rugby with the match finely poised at 21-17 at half-time.
But indiscipline ultimately cost Wales as Canada edged the physical battle after the break.
Sophie de Goede led from the front with a try and six conversions to her name.
Wales had not beaten Canada since their 2006 encounter in Cardiff but, with the squad now fully professional, they went into this match with confidence.
Canada were on the scoreboard inside the opening five minutes. A penalty for not rolling away gifted them a five metre driving lineout from which to launch an attack.
De Goede peeled off the pack…