Three second half tries by Canada saw them fend off the determined challenge of Wales to start their WXV 1 campaign with a 42-22 victory at Sky Stadium.
A dogged first half by Ioan Cunningham’s side saw Wales Women only trail by four points but the strong Canadian side powered over for three second half tries to ease to victory.
Captain Sophie de Goede led her team superbly from the front, scoring a try and landing six conversions and was influential throughout as Canada continued their dominance over Wales.
Wales haven’t beaten Canada since 2006 but they must have fancied their chances at halftime, trailing by 21-17.
Just as Canada were threatening to romp away with the game, just before the halftime hooter Georgia Evans plucked the ball from the air to run unopposed to the tryline to score untouched. Keira Bevan’s conversion brought Wales right back into the contest after hooker Carys Phillips had earlier dived over in the corner from a perfectly executed lineout move in the eighth minute.
A penalty by Bevan then put Wales in front but Sara Svoboda regained the lead for Canada in the 30th minute with a well taken try when quick recycled ball put Wales under pressure.
When Madison Grant’s try took Canada out to a 21-10 lead just before the break, things looked ominous but Evans gave Wales hope with her intervention.
But in the second half Canada turned the screw and Wales found possession and territory hard to come by. Wales held out until the 50th minute when McKinley Hunt piled over.
Wales introduced substitutes to add fresh impetus, but Canada’s replacement hooker Gillian Boag drove over from close range to pile on the misery for Wales.
Wales showed plenty of grit and determination to strike back with a try though the hard working Alex Callender but Canada had the final word with a try by Sarah-Maude Lachance.
The final score doesn’t do justice to the effort put in by Wales, with Jasmine Joyce in particular catching the eye both in attack and defence.
Wales will now move on to Dunedin where they will play New Zealand next Saturday in the second round of fixtures.
Scorers:
Canada: Tries: Sophie de Goede, Sara Svoboda, Madison Grant, McKinley Hunt, Gillian Boag, Sarah-Maude Lachance; Cons: de Goede (6)
Wales: Tries: Carys Phillips, Georgia Evans, Alex Callender; Cons: Keira Bevan; Pen: Bevan
