Glasgow Warriors prop Kevin Tkachuk started for Canada in today’s game against Wales at York Stadium in Toronto.

The Canadians were defeated 32-23 in front of 8, 420 fans but it was certainly a game Canada could have won but for a few bounces one way or the other.

After leading the game in the early going 6-0 and then coughing up a ball on its own one metre line to give the Welsh a 7-6 lead – Canada fought back to draw even at 16-16 in the second half.

Ultimately penalties, a yellow card on Canadian second row Luke Tait, and Welsh pressure in the dying minutes kept Canada at bay for key periods.

Three James Pritchard penalties kept Canada in the mix in the first half – with Wales getting a conversion and two penalties on top of the Chris Czekaj try gave the visitors a slim 16-9 lead.

It was Sean Duke – playing on the wing for Canada in only his second game that spurred the homeside comeback as he raced down the pitch after a clearance pass from Ed Fairhurst gave him the space he needed to score and with the tough touchline conversion by Pritchard the Canadian fans gave voice to the impressive comeback by the Canadian team that fell to Ireland a week ago 25-6.

The celebration was short lived as the Welsh backline continued to pester its Canadian counterparts finally springing Tom James to put Wales back in the lead for good. With the Biggar conversion along with two more penalties from the young fly-half the Welsh held a 13 point lead 29-16 going into the final twenty minutes.

Canada were not done however – and seemed to dispel its myth of playing a sixty minute game as captain Pat Riordan found a gap and sprinted for some 20 metres before releasing a trailing Ed Fairhurst who crossed in the 59th minute to close the gap to 29-23. Canada kept up the pressure and was making key tackles late in the match but Biggar’s sixth penalty of the day stretched the lead to the final score of 32-23.

While pleased with the way his side played, Canadian coach Kieran Crowley admitted after the match that this might have been an opportunity lost.

“I definitely think it was a game we could have won, but little things like our discipline at times cost a bit – but we need these games to show the guys we can compete and what we need to do to stop making those errors and start winning these types of games,” said Crowley – who is in his second season with the Canadian team.

His counterpart Robin McBryde said he was not surprised by how close the match was and felt his charges sharpened their decision making in the second half to build the gap they needed for the win.

“Canada gave us the game we expected from them, very tough, very physical, so no surprises there,” offered the caretaker coach who is at the helm on behalf of Warren Gatland who is with the British and Irish Lions tour in South Africa. “We made some errors at critical times but were able to counter that with some good decisions down the stretch.”

Adam Kleeberger, flanker for Canada had another storming afternoon pinching balls at the breakdown and driving the opposition into the ground with a multiple of tackles. He conceded that the team did keep its composure late in the game where in previous times the concentration has fallen and the scorelines swollen late in the game.

“I thought we did well late in the game,” said Kleeberger. “We are sticking to our systems and keeping our heads and it made a difference.”

Wales move on to Chicago on Sunday to play the USA next week while Canada departs for Denver Monday and the Churchill Cup with the former Soviet republic of Georgia up first followed by a game against Ireland A.

Canada (9) 23
Tries: Sean Duke,  Ed Fairhurst
Cons: James Pritchard (2)
Pens: Pritchard (3)

Wales (16) 32
Tries: Chris Czekaj,  Tom James
Cons: Dan Biggar (2)
Pens: Dan Biggar (6)

Canada: James Pritchard, Ciaran Hearn, DTH van der Merwe, Ryan Smith,  Sean Duke, Ander Monro, Ed Fairhurst, Kevin Tkachuk, Pat Riordan, Andrew Tiedemann, Mike Burak, Luke Tait, Nanyak Dala, Adam Kleeberger, Aaron Carpenter.

Replacements:  David Spicer for Monro (62), Evans for Fairhurst (73), Pletch for Tiedemann (60), Hotson for Tait (61), Stephen for Dala (69) Mack for Smith (71).
Sin Bin: Tait (21)

Wales: Evans, T. James, J. Davies, Bishop, Czekaj, Biggar, Cooper, D. Jones, Hibbard, Yapp, B. Davies, D. Jones, D. Jones, Sowden-Taylor, R. Jones.

Replacements: Peel for Cooper (40), Williams for Hibbard (76), Mitchell for Yapp (61), Spratt Gough(was used).

Not Used: , Warburton, Robinson.

Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Rob Debney (RFU), Chris Draper (USA)
TMO: Andrew Hall (Rugby Canada)

Att: 8,450