Italy edge past Canada

Italy survived a late Canadian onslaught in Canberra today to stay on course for a possible World Cup quarter-final against England.

The win made history for Italy as it constituted the first time they had managed successive wins in the World Cup and now they must make it a hattrick against Wales in their final pool match on Saturday to finish second to New Zealand.

That would earn a contest with England, who are favourites to hammer whoever comes out of this tightly contested pool. Wales currently head Italy by one point and have two games left - finishing against New Zealand.

John Kirwan, the Italy coach, described this match as the most important in his adopted country's rugby history and the nerves were there for all to see as the Italians made a horrendous number of handling errors.

Canada added an attacking force to an otherwise sterile game plan by giving full back Quentin Fyffe the ball and he responded with an excellent second-half try.

However, their cause was effectively ruined by the sin binning after 50 minutes of centre Marco di Giromlamo. During the 10 minutes he was off the pitch, Italy scored 10 vital points.

Canadian outside-half Jared Barker kicked three penalties but missed four other kicks when his side needed accuracy to reward their dogged forward effort.

Italy only have four days to recover and have numerous injuries to deal with. Kirwan revealed that wing Mirco Bergamasco is going to hospital for x-rays on a suspected broken cheekbone. "This World Cup is unfair because I don't have time to train the guys. Getting just four days between games is a joke."

The Italians will have completed their four-match programme in 14 days - a week less than the Welsh.

Canadian coach David Clark has no doubt who will win on Saturday: "I firmly believe that Italy will beat the Welsh, who should have lost to Tonga."