Wales - 61 Canada - 26: Wales last night handed out the expected beating to Canada - by nine tries to two - and can now get down to the business of preparing for next week's visitors, the All Blacks - with or without Gavin Henson.
The Ospreys centre was left out at the last minute when team medics decided not to risk his infected toe. They say he should be fit for next Saturday but, with Stephen Jones still recovering from ligament problems, James Hook is now in pole position to start against New Zealand despite a far-from-faultless first performance in the Wales number 10 shirt.
The 21-year-old made a shaky start to his fifth international, but recovered to kick eight conversions from nine attempts.
With so much focus on next week it was easy to forget this was the second dry run in a fortnight for Wales against World Cup pool opponents.
But Canada, whom they meet in Nantes on September 9th, were rusty, not having played in three months.
In the eighth minute they reacted with leaden legs as Hook's chip fell nicely into the path of Gareth Thomas. Shane Williams tore through the middle seven minutes later and the hooker Matthew Rees added a third after clever play from Hook, Martyn Williams and Dwayne Peel.
Canada pegged them back to 21-9 but Wales, buoyant after a draw with Australia, their main pool opponents, and victory over the Pacific Islanders, shunted the Canadians back to be awarded a penalty try on half-time.
When Peel nipped through the Canadian lineout four minutes into the second half it was almost time to give up counting, although it is worth noting that when Hook failed to convert Jonathan Thomas's second try it was his first miss in 12 attempts at goal for Wales. Dan Pletch and Mike Pyke scored consolation tries for Canada.
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins was happy overall with the outcome of the game and paid tribute to the visitors.
"We have to be satisfied. It wasn't an easy game, at moments we were very good and moments we were very frustrating. We have to give Canada credit - they created frustration on occasions.
"It has been a good contest, things were positive and there are things to work on."
WALES: G Thomas (capt); M Jones, Shanklin, Parker, S Williams; Hook, Peel; Jenkins, Rees, A Jones, Gough, Evans, J Thomas, M Williams, R Jones. Replacements: R Thomas for Rees, D Jones for Jenkins (both 52 mins); Phillips for Peel, Sweeney for Parker (both 59 mins); Sidoli for Evans (64 mins); AW Jones for M Williams (69 mins). Scorers: G Thomas, S Williams, Rees, Penalty, Peel, J Thomas (2), Sweeney, Shanklin, tries; Hook, eight cons.
CANADA: Fairhurst; Pyke, Smith, Spicer, Prichard; Daypuck, Williams (capt); Tkachuk, Lawson, Gainer, Tait, Burak, Webb, McKeen, Stephen. Replacements: Monro for Spicer (40 mins); D Pletch for Gainer (43 mins); M Pletch for Lawson (45 mins); Mensah-Coker for Williams (66 mins) Scorers: D Pletch, Pyke, tries; Prichard, three pens, two cons; Daypuck, drop-goal.
Referee: T Spreadbury (England).
Guardian Service
