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Canadian hearts were broken by Japan in Bordeaux during Rugby World Cup 2007. The Asians completed a last-gasp comeback to snatch a 12-12 draw after Canada appeared to have secured victory.
Japan led the low-scoring match 5-0 at half time through a try by Kosuke Endo before Canada struck back with Pat Riordan and DTH van der Merwe scoring a try each. James Pritchard landed one of two conversions to make it 12-5 to Canada and it remained that way until time was up.
Referee Jonathan Kaplan allowed time to continue and Japan were able to cross out wide with Koji Taira touching down. Centre Shotaro Onishi then had a difficult conversion attempt to complete a draw and his kick was on target.
The teams met again at Rugby World Cup 2011 with Canada, this time, mounting a come-back to complete a 23-23 draw in Napier. Their next match-up is to be this Saturday in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup. They will do so at the neutral venue of Avaya Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area.
