Monro denies Japan
There was a World Cup repeat in Napier as Canada and Japan slugged it out for a 23-23 draw.
Last Updated: 27/09/11 3:50pm
There was a World Cup repeat in Napier as Canada and Japan slugged it out for a 23-23 draw.
The two rivals had shared the honours in Bordeaux four years ago and it was the same result at McLean Park - with Canada breaking Japanese hearts late on.
The Cherry Blossoms looked set to end their 20-year wait for their second World Cup victory as they led for long periods of an enthralling encounter.
Shota Horie and Kosuke Endo crossed for tries, while the impressive James Arlidge weighed in with 13 points.
However replacement kicker Ander Monro's late penalty ensured Canada finished on level terms.
Monro also crossed for a try to add to earlier scores from DTH van der Merwe and Phil Mackenzie, and had also been on target with a three-pointer before his late equaliser. James Pritchard had added a conversion before he was replaced due to an injury.
Canada had got off to a storming start as van der Merwe was denied by a superb ankle tap from Shaun Webb, with Hirotoki Onozawa was able to prevent him reaching the line, while Hubert Buydens was also held up over the line.
However, van der Merwe was able to cross from the next scrum as Endo missed his man. Pritchard slotted over the extras.
The Japanese response was immediate, though. Powerful running from Alisi Tupuailai and Talikavili Vatuvei made the initial hard yards before Horie crashed over. Arlidge levelled the score.
Impressive
And Japan deservedly moved in front with three points from Arlidge, although it could have been worse for Canada following an impressive break from Nicholas and Bryce Robins.
The Canucks attempted to level through the boot of stand-in kicker Monro but his 25th-minute effort from in front of the sticks rebounded clear.
Japan finished the half in the ascendancy and having spurned two kickable penalties to go for the corner, the Cherry Blossoms were rewarded as Endo powered through after good link play from Arlidge and Nicholas. Arlidge's conversion gave Japan a 17-7 lead.
Japan continued the second half where they left off as they looked to put the game out of sight.
However a superb arcing run from Mackenzie went unchecked, with the Canada winger sliding in unopposed for the try of the match.
The try breathed new life into the Canada challenge and they began plugging away in the Japanese half.
The boot of Monro cut the deficit to two points on 62 - only for a lack of discipline immediately after the restart gifting Arlidge a simple penalty chance of his own.
And Arlidge moved Japan to 23-15 in front with a coolly-taken penalty in the 72nd minute.
However there was more drama as Monro powered over, despite some desperate defending, to give Canada a lifeline.
And although he missed the conversion he broke Japan hearts with a late penalty to level the match.