Gritty Wales lose WXV opener against Canada

Wales threatened to end a 17-year losing streak to Canada before they were eventually overpowered in their opening game of WXV1 in Wellington.

But indiscipline ultimately cost Wales as Canada edged the physical battle after the break.

Sophie de Goede led from the front with a try and six conversions to her name.

Wales had not beaten Canada since their 2006 encounter in Cardiff but, with the squad now fully professional, they went into this match with confidence.

Canada were on the scoreboard inside the opening five minutes. A penalty for not rolling away gifted them a five metre driving lineout from which to launch an attack.

De Goede peeled off the pack and charged towards the line before finishing off a series of pick and goes.

Wales hit back almost immediately after Canada were penalised. Robyn Wilkins' kick set up an attacking lineout from which Wales are notoriously deadly.

But it was not their traditional maul this time. Instead hooker Carys Phillips threw a short ball to Alisha Butchers who returned the pass for the hooker to crash over with the defence napping.

Keira Bevan nailed the touchline conversion before adding a penalty to put Wales ahead after 28 minutes.

Canada continued to threaten when Florence Symonds tore down her wing, but sevens star Jasmine Joyce came across with a superb try-saving tackle.

Canada's second try came after full-back Madison Grant gathered her own high kick before flanker Sara Svoboda powered between tacklers to cross.

Grant scored herself moments later from a well-worked set-piece after Symonds came off her wing to create an overlap in midfield.

With the game threatening to slip away, Wales reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time when second-row Evans plucked a loose pass from Alexandra Tessier and raced clear to the line.

More to follow.