27 Sep 2011

No Cup joy for Japan

7:49 pm on 27 September 2011

The Japanese rugby team's been held to a heartbreaking 23-23 draw with Canada in their World Cup pool clash in Napier.

At half-time Japan were up 17-7 and two tries to one, but Canada's forwards stepped up the pressure in the second half and the North Americans added two more tries, and a penalty kick for the equaliser.

It's the Asian nation's final Pool A game so Japan again bow out without adding to their only other World Cup win, over Zimbabwe back in 1991.

At the last World Cup Japan also drew with Canada, who face the All Blacks in Wellington on Sunday.