Aussies subdue Canada, Italy push England, Japan win hearts and All Blacks beat Wales

AUSTRALIA'S follow-up game to their shock loss to the Springboks in the 1995 Rugby World Cup was against the tough Canadians and it was an ill-tempered affair in which the Wallabies had to sweat for their 27-11 win.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

This was a golden era for Canadian rugby and they had a host of players based at top European clubs.

Their flyhalf, Gareth Rees was world class as were their South African-born centre Christian Stewart, the prop Rod Snow and the great flank/lock Al Charron.

The Aussies were still smarting from their defeat at Newlands and they allowed the belligerent Canucks to get under their skins.

The North Americans were an abrasive lot as the Boks would discover at Boet Erasmus Stadium the following week and there were ugly incidents.

There was also some good rugby, including tries for young Aussie wing Joe Roff, flank Ilie Tabua and flyhalf Michael Lynagh.

Australia led 17-6 at half-time and could score just 10 points in the second half as the Canadians fought back.