Enter the All Blacks, exit Scott Quinnell. The retirement from Test rugby of a forward of Quinnell's calibre could hardly have come at a less opportune time for Wales, who must take on New Zealand on Saturday in the wake of a ragged, unconvincing win over the highly competitive Canadians.
The heartfelt standing ovation given to the Lions No8 and his two young children at the end of a game that was much the better for his 25-minute substitute appearance emphasised the Welsh public's reluctance to let Quinnell go, despite his knee problems.
"A great man and a great player," said Steve Hansen, the Wales coach, no doubt wishing there were a few more like Quinnell in a lacklustre Welsh pack. Unless the Welsh can quickly step up their challenge in the lineout and the loose, the All Blacks are likely to score a hatful of tries.
Hansen put an honest face on a dogged victory that was made secure only after Quinnell's dynamic driving through the middle helped secure a second Welsh try by Jamie Robinson 12 minutes from the end. "Canada were tough and physical; it was a game we might easily have lost 12 months ago," he said.
Shortly after the break Canada's goalkicker Jared Barker reduced the Welsh lead to 22-18 with his sixth penalty but Stephen Jones was also in accurate form, finishing with 22 points for Wales.
Worrying for Hansen was the way Welsh drive fizzled out in the face of aggressive tackling of a type that is second nature to the All Blacks.
Colin Charvis admitted: "We need to get a bit more excitement into our movement and move up a level each time we play." All Wales awaits a sporting miracle.
Wales: R Williams (Cardiff); M Jones (Llanelli), Robinson (Cardiff), Parker (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bridgend); S Jones (Llanelli; Harris , Cardiff, 73), Peel (Llanelli; Powell , Cardiff, 72); I Thomas (Llanelli), McBryde (Llanelli), Evans (Swansea), Cooper (Llanelli; Owen , Pontypridd, 54), Llewellyn (Neath), D Jones (Llanelli; Quinnell , Llanelli, 56), M Williams (Cardiff), Charvis (Swansea, capt).
Tries: McBryde, Robinson. Cons: S Jones 2. Pens: S Jones 6.
Yellow card: Llewellyn, 42.
Canada: Stanley; Fauth, Witkowski, Cannon, Asselin; Barker, Williams (Fairhurst, 74); Snow, Dunkley (capt), Thiel, Tait (Carlson, 70), James, Banks, Van Staveren, Murphy (Cudmore, 64).
Pens: Barker 6. Drop-goal: Williams.
Yellow card: Snow, 25.
Attendance: 27,000. Referee: G De Santis (Italy).
