Japan draw pride from stalemate

Coach John Kirwan spoke of his pride in Japan's performance after they came within a whisker of winning only their second match in Rugby World Cup history.

The Brave Blossoms led Canada from the 24th minute until the 79th but the match at McLean Park on Tuesday ended 23-23 - only the third draw in RWC history.

"I think the boys played their hearts out, I'm very proud of them," said Kirwan. "They did a good job today and a win would have been great but I think that we just have to keep working hard."

Tries by Shota Horie and Kosuke Endo plus 13 points from the boot of James Arlidge seemed to be enough for Kirwan’s side to end a 17-match RWC winless streak dating back to the 1991 match over Zimbabwe.

But a 79th-minute penalty from Canada's Ander Monro left the sides sharing the points in this Pool A match - as they had done in their 2007 encounter.

Canada captain Pat Riordan praised the Japan midfield, saying: "I'd like to think our boys, when they had the ball, they did some damage, too, but the centres they have there are pretty good runners."

Determined running and resolute defence from both sides characterised the match, and with the second half only four minutes old Phil Mackenzie summoned all his pace and power to bring Canada back to 17-12.

Finely poised

Monro then notched a 64th-minute penalty but Arlidge hit back immediately to re-establish the five-point gap.

Another Arlidge penalty made it 23-15 but a try by Monro left the match finely poised with five minutes left, then the same player slotted a penalty to make it 23-23.

An Arlidge drop goal attempt fell short in the dying seconds.

Canada had the best of the early exchanges but Japan hit back with two tries to lead 17-7 at half-time.

Canada’s DTH van der Merwe was denied only by a despairing tap-tackle in the fifth minute, then a move from a scrum was held up over the line.

Moments later van der Merwe shrugged off a tackler to cross under the posts, James Pritchard converting.

Japan replied almost immediately, hooker Horie burrowing his way over to score Japan's 50th Rugby World Cup try after Alisi Tupuailai's offload.

Arlidge added the extras then kicked a penalty to put Japan 10-7 up, but the try came at a price as Tupuailai was replaced soon afterwards by Bryce Robins.

Shaun Webb then almost squeezed in at the corner after a move that began in Japan's 22 but was nudged into touch.

Sustained pressure saw wing Endo race in on the stroke of half-time, again converted by Arlidge.