Wales vs. Canada tomorrow

November 16, 2006

WALES vs CANADA

Friday, November 17, 2006 -- 02:30 pm ET

Rugby Channel live online stream USD$7.99.

Rugby Planet preview:

Crunch time for Canucks in Cardiff

The last two encounters between Canada and Wales don't make pretty reading for Friday's visitors, a combined points against in excess of the hundred mark. With Wales finding their form of old and reverting back to a full-strength side, it could yet again be a long night for the Canucks.

Wales may be forgiven for having one eye on the clash with the All Blacks next weekend, having seen them cast aside England and France with apparent ease. However Canada warrant respect and total focus as they are an ever-improving side and will be out to set a marker before the two sides meet again in their opening 2007 Rugby World Cup game next September.

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Prediction: Canada will pose a bigger threat than in past encounters but with Wales at full strength expect them to run away with it in the second half. Wales by 25 points.

Previous Results:

2005: Wales won 60-3 in Toronto
2003: Wales won 41-10 in Melbourne
2002: Wales won 32-21 in Cardiff
1999: Wales won 33-19 in Cardiff
1997: Wales won 28-25 in Markham
1994: Wales won 33-15 in Markham
1993: Canada won 26-24 in Cardiff
1987: Wales won 40-9 in Invercargill

The teams:

Wales: 15 Gareth Thomas (c), 14 Mark Jones, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Gavin Henson, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: 16 Rhys Thomas, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Robert Sidoli, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Michael Phillips, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Sonny Parker

Canada: 15 Ed Fairhurst, 14 Mike Pyke, 13 Ryan Smith, 12 David Spicer, 11 James Prichard, 10 Derek Daypuck, 9 Morgan Williams (c), 8 Sean-Michael Stephen, 7 Stan McKeen, 6 Mike Webb, 5 Mike Burak, 4 Luke Tait, 3 Forrest Gainer, 2 Mark Lawson, 1 Kevin Tkachuk
Replacements: 16 Pat Riordan, 17 Dan Pletch, 18 Mike Pletch, 19 Stu Ault, 20 Aaron Carpenter, 21 Ander Monro, 22 Justin Mensah-Coker

Date: Friday 17th November 2006
Kick Off: 19.30 GMT - 02:30 pm ET
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Expected Weather: Rain is forecast all day, so there is a chance the roof will be closed.
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), Federico Cuesta (Argentina)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)

Entire preview - click here.

Rugby Canada also previews the big test and mentions this will be the biggest crowd Canada has ever played for, and remembers the only time Canada has beaten Wales -- at Cardiff Arms Park in 1993. Nobody is giving Canada a chance tomorrow. Is another upset on the cards?