Wales end their season in style

Tourists down the Canucks

Wales ended their historic season with an eighth successive victory as the Grand Slam champions overwhelmed Canada 60-3 in Toronto on Saturday.

Wales ran in nine tries, including two from Jonathan Thomas, while Ceri Sweeney added 15 points with the boot in an emphatic display at York Stadium.

Despite the size of the victory and the convincing scoreline, Wales were made to work hard for their victory following a typical physical display by Canada.

The Canucks' brutal approach restricted the RBS 6 Nations champions to a 15-3 lead at half-time.

However, Wales rode the storm and seven tries in the second half, including first tries at international level for both Ben Broster and new cap Chris Czekaj, saw Wales finally cruise past their hosts.

It wrapped up an historic season for Wales following their first Grand Slam in 27 years.

They have now won their last eight games in a row, a run that dates back to November when they beat Japan in Cardiff and represents their best form since Graham Henry's team went 10 games unbeaten between 1998 and 1999.

Current coach Mike Ruddock will have every reason to smile when he looks back at his first season in charge and the manner in which his team overcame difficult circumstances ahead of this game.

Ruddock had already made four changes to the team which hammered USA Eagles 77-3 in Hartford a week earlier, before he was forced to make another late change.

A surprise call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad for number eight Ryan Jones meant that Leeds Tykes back row Alix Popham was promoted from the bench to win his 11th cap for Wales.

Ruddock also felt obliged to lodge an official complaint over the condition of the patchy and uneven surface at Toronto's York University.

Finally Wales also had to contend with a heat wave in Canada which saw temperatures at kick-off soar over 90 degrees.

But if Canada thought the heat and their physical approach would stifle the Welsh attacking spirit, they were mistaken.

Wales overcame a ferocious opening 10 minutes to build an early lead.

Sweeney made the break that led to his opening penalty on 11 minutes.

Sweeney was again involved as Wales grabbed their first try just two minutes later.

Nicky Robinson found Robert Sidoli in close support, Thomas charged forward before Sweeney supplied captain Mark Taylor, who stepped inside three Canadian defenders to score.

Canada gave a spirited display on home soil and full-back Derek Daypuck got them on the scoreboard with a penalty after outside half Ryan Smith almost broke clear.

But as the first half wore on, the Welsh forwards gained the upper hand in the set-pieces.

Sidoli set up a driving maul from five yards out and the Welsh pack rumbled over for Duncan Jones to touch down after 25 minutes.

Both sides began the second half down to 14 men when Sidoli and former Ospreys lock Luke Tait were shown yellow cards for fighting just before the break.

That, however, did not stop Wales who secured the victory with three tries in 13 minutes.

Saracens prop Broster went over after hooker Rhys Thomas burst through. Thomas then grabbed his first after Popham went close, before 19-year-old Czekaj celebrated his Test debut with a well taken try.

Kevin Morgan broke clear to score his 10th international try on 63 minutes as Wales cut loose.

Quick thinking by scrum-half Mike Phillips created space for Thomas to stroll over for his second on 69 minutes.

Matthew Watkins came off the bench to deliver a scoring pass to Rhys Williams and Topham completed the rout and a memorable season for Wales with his team's ninth try in the last minute.

The scorers:

For Canada:
Pen: Daypuck

For Wales:
Tries: Taylor, Charvis, Broster, J Thomas 2, Czekaj, Morgan, R Williams, Popham
Cons: Sweeney 6
Pen: Sweeney