Wales suffer World Cup exit after defeat by Canada

Canada (28) 42

Tries: Hunt 2 Corrigan, Hogan-Rochester, Perry, Kassil Cons: de Goede 6

Wales (0) 0

Wales' World Cup campaign is on the brink of ending after Canada once again provided a masterclass in attacking rugby with a six-try blitz as their place in the knockout phase was confirmed.

Wales needed to pull off a big shock and beat the world's second-ranked team to boost their slim hopes of progressing from Pool B.

The fate of Sean Lynn's side rests on Fiji beating Scotland in the day's second game in the group. If Fiji pull off what would be a stunning win, Wales would take on the Fijians next Saturday in Exeter with a chance of going through.

In Salford, despite a bright Wales start, it was all about the Canucks.

They had the bonus point wrapped up in the first half with two McKinley Hunt tries and scores from wings Alysha Corrigan and Asia Hogan-Rochester.

Taylor Perry and Brittany Kassil both crossed after the break, while second row Sophie de Goede added six conversions in a flawless display from the tee.

Both sides had made changes going into the second round, with Canada arguably strengthening their side from last weekend's 11-try victory over Fiji, while Wales welcomed back the likes of Georgia Evans and Abbie Fleming alongside some inexperienced youngsters.

After conceding in the opening minute in their opener against Scotland last weekend Wales needed to start well - and that they did by holding up Hogan-Rochester straight from the kick-off.

They spent a promising 10 minutes camped in Canada's 22 with wings Lisa Neumann and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers both having a sniff of an opportunity.

The forwards trucked it up against a determined defence, but slow ball meant they could not make the breakthrough.

The best chance came from a Lleucu George cross-field kick, but the ball sailed over the outstretched hands of first-time captain Bethan Lewis, who had found space out wide.

Wales' line-out continued to malfunction as Canada were given an easy out and the half an hour that followed was a lesson in how to be clinical.

Hunt, returning to the starting line-up this week, picked up her first score after the forwards had patiently gone through the phases to allow her under the posts.

The whole team got involved in the second try, with forwards and backs combining in an offloading game that Wales just could not live with, and Corrigan found a gap on her wing.

Two more Canada scores followed in quick succession in a devastating five minutes , with Hunt crashing over for her second, while Hogan-Rochester wriggled out of a weak Courtney Keight tackle to break free and bag the bonus point.

It was more of the same from Canada after the break and Gabrielle Senft appeared to have scored their fifth try, but it was chalked off for a knock-on while her Saracens team mate Evans was shown a yellow card for a high tackle to add to Wales' woes.

Down to 14, Wales were even more exposed and there was no mercy as Perry crashed over, followed by replacement Kassil off the back of a powerful maul.

Wales struggled to get any foothold in the game, but fans did have something to celebrate when Wales Under-20s captain Branwen Metcalfe came on for her senior debut. The biggest cheer came from the coach-load of Nant Conwy RFC supporters who produced both Metcalfe and Pyrs sisters, with Gwenllian coming off the bench to win her 50th cap.

Wales fought tirelessly in the closing stages to get a score on the board and replacement hooker Kelsey Jones looked to have crossed from a driving line-out, but referee Hollie Davidson said the ball was held up, even though reviews showed the ball had been grounded.

Carys Cox also looked dangerous out wide, but the Canadian defence was up to the task.

The final minutes fizzled out as both sides emptied their benches, but Canada had done all the damage in the first half and have now beaten Wales in their past eight outings.

Their display has done little damage to their reputation as tournament challengers, with favourites England no doubt watching on before their round-two game against Samoa.

For Wales it was an improved performance, but they were again outclassed and outmuscled by a better side. They will have a final chance to redeem themselves against Fiji, a side led by their former head coach Ioan Cunningham.

Canada: Julia Schell; Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds, Alexandra Tessier, Asia Hogan-Rochester; Taylor Perry, Justine Pelletier; McKinley Hunt, Emily Tuttosi, DaLeaka Menin, Sophie de Goede, Tyson Beukeboom, Caroline Crossley, Karen Paquin, Gabrielle Senft

Replacements: Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Courtney O'Donnell, Fabiola Forteza, Olivia Apps, Claire Gallagher, Shoshanah Seumanutafa.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe; Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans

Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Gwenllian Pyrs, Jenni Scoble, Tilly Vucaj, Branwen Metcalfe, Seren Lockwood, Kayleigh Powell, Kerin Lake.