Underdogs Canada gave Wales a real run for their money and put their bodies on the line but ultimately the visitors had more class to call upon to win the day.
Ospreys teenager Biggar collected 22 points and impressed with his all round game while Jonathan Davies also stood out on his debut.
James Pritchard opening the scoring in the 10th minute with a straight forward penalty. The full-back, who plays for Bedford in England, doubled the lead four minutes later when Wales were caught off-side in front of their own posts.
Wales hit the lead when they were the recipients of a gift-wrapped five-pointer. Chris Czekaj will never score a simpler try in his career. The Canadian defence made a complete horlicks of clearing their line. When the ball popped loose, the Blues winger simply had to pick up the ball and touch down over the white wash. Biggar’s conversion saw Wales hit the front.
Wales showed plenty of patience as they hammered away at the Canadian try-line. Eventually former Cardiff second row Luke Tait was sent to the sin bin for illegal use of the shoulder. Biggar landed the penalty to give Wales a 6-10 lead.
Biggar and Pritchard traded penalties with the Ospreys flyhalf adding another three pointer to give Wales a 9-16 lead at the break.
Canada burst out of the blocks in the second half when the home side turned over possession. Ed Fairhurst sent Sean Duke clear and the winger sped to the try-line unopposed. Pritchard’s successful conversion levelled matters at 16-16 but five minutes later Wales hit the front again when Tom James finished off in clinical fashion.
Biggar’s conversion and another two successful penalties gave Wales a handy 13 point lead. Canada caught the Welsh defence napping in the 59th minute when captain Par Riordan burst down the blindside and showed good pace to send Fairhurst over. Pritchard landed an excellent conversion from wide out in gusty conditions to bring the home side to within a converted try of Wales.
Replacement prop Craig Mitchell was denied a dream start to his international career when the ball was knocked from his grasp inches from the try-line. However Biggar ensured Wales didn’t depart empty handed with another penalty to give Wales a 23-32 lead.
Every time Wales looked like they were going to break away and put the icing on the cake with a final flourish, tigerish and committed Canadian tackling held Ryan Jones’s side at bay.
