Laurels for Italy, plaudits for Canada

Italy 19 Canada 14

The two sides, who both succeeded in grinding out unconvincing victories this week, meet on Saturday in what should be an epic showdown.

With New Zealand expected to top the pool unbeaten, the most likely scenario is that Saturday's winners will join the All Blacks in the last eight.

While the Canadians, plucky and determined to the last, left the Canberra Stadium with the plaudits, the Italians cared little, having won.

The Italians dominated throughout the first half, punishing the Canadian scrum and dismantling their lineout.

But David Clark's men put on the kind of defensive show for which Canadian rugby is renowned, unleashing shuddering hits, and even managed to limit the half-time deficit to three points.

The Azzurri, who lost captain Alessandro Troncon, Marco Bortolami and Mirco Bergamasco to injuries a major concern for the Wales game still came out firing after the break.

When Marco di Girolamo was sinbinned with his side under immense pressure, it appeared the game was up for the Canadians; they shipped 10 points as he watched on.

But almost immediately after his return, Canada managed to turn the game on its head.

It so nearly paid off as Italy were trapped inside their own 22 and the Canadian set-pieces disastrous in the first half clicked into place.

From the base of the scrum, Canada created a magnificent open score for Quentin Fyffe to dive over and bring the 24,500 crowd to its feet.

With 66 minutes gone, the match was suddenly a five-point game and Italy were in disarray.

But Kirwan's side did just enough to keep the spirited Canadians at bay.

ITALY: Canale, M. Bergamasco, Stoica, M. Dallan, D. Dallan, Wakarua, Troncon, Lo Cicero, Ongaro, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Bortolami, De Rossi, Persico, Parisse, Masi.

Replacements: Masi for M. Bergamasco (41), Mazzantini for Troncon (41), Checchinato for Bortolami (30), Palmer for De Rossi (74), Mazzariol for Masi (79).

CANADA: Fyffe, Stanley, Cannon, Di Girolamo, Lougheed, Barker, Williams, Snow, Lawson, Thiel, Yukes, Charron, Cudmore, Douglas, Banks.

Replacements: Tkachuk for Thiel (70), Jackson for Banks (32).

Att: 24,500

Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand).