Wales got the 2003 Rugby World Cup off to a winning start by beating Pool D rivals Canada 41-10 in Melbourne.
Iestyn Harris starred with a perfect seven kicks out of seven as well as having a hand in four of Wales’ five tries that earned a bonus point. And the victory in a tricky opening game at the Telstra Dome left for coach Steve Hansen happy with the start to the tournament.
‘From the point of view of winning our first game and getting a bonus point then it was ten out ten, but for the performance it was probably a six or seven,’ he said. ‘However it was the first game of the competition and it’s been two months since we last played Test rugby and that could explain some of the unforced errors.
‘I think they came from over eagerness but there are still areas to work on for the next game. We were a bit rusty at times.’
Wales got off to a shaky start when captain Colin Charvis was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Canadian outside-half Bob Ross, who had earlier scored a penalty, as early as the eighth-minute.
But the loss of their captain did not affect Wales as badly as feared and by the time Charvis was back on the field, his side were in the lead. Iestyn Harris broke in midfield opening space for first Dafydd Jones and then Gareth Thomas and when Mark Jones was brought down by his ankle just short of the line, the ball was spun wide for Sonny Parker to score in the corner.
Harris added the conversion and then two penalties before Gareth Cooper scrambled over for Wales’ second try.
Thomas was held short but the scrum-half picked up and dived over the line from close range to put Wales 20-3 ahead at the break.
Harris was again the creator when Mark Jones claimed the third 15 minutes into the second half. Harris and Parker linked up in midfield to open space for Jones to sail over untouched.
Just three minutes later and captain Charvis made amends for his earlier time in the sin bin by scoring the fourth try that ensured Wales took maximum points from their opening game. Dafydd Jones was hauled down short but Charvis spun over and stretched for the line.
The floodgates, however, refused to buckle and despite having been 34-3 ahead inside an hour, it was not until the last minute that Wales added to their tally when Gareth Thomas scored his 32nd Test try.
The Celtic Warriors wing is now just one short of Ieuan Evans’ all-time Welsh try-scoring record.
By that time Canada has managed to cross the line themselves when replacement prop Kevin Tkachuk drove over for a deserved try following good work by the Canuck forwards.
‘The boys have just been very eager over the last couple of weeks to get into the tournament and we’re glad to get a win in our first game,’ said Charvis.
‘We didn’t intend to go for a bonus point – we knew Canada were going to be tough and we were just focussing on the win.’
Wales: K Morgan; M Jones, S Parker, I Harris, G Thomas; C Sweeney (M Taylor, 64), G Cooper (D Peel, 64); D Jones (G Jenkins, 77), R McBryde (H Bennett, 59), G Jenkins (A Jones, 59), B Cockbain (R Sidoli, 52), G Llewellyn, D Jones, C Charvis (capt), M Williams.
Tries – S Parker, G Cooper, M Jones, C Charvis, G Thomas. Cons – I Harris (5). Pens – I Harris (2).
Canada: J Pritchard; W Stanley, N Witkowski, M di Girolamo, D Lougheed; B Ross (R Smith, 60), M Williams; R Snow (K Tkachuk, 60), M Lawson, J Thiel (G Cooke 28-33), C Yukes, M James, A Charron (capt, J Cudmore, 60), J Jackson, A van Staveren.
Try – K Tkachuk. Con – J Pritchard. Pen – B Ross.
Referee: C White (England) Attendance: 24,874
