In an all-action, error-packed contest, Italy held on for a 19-14 victory in the face of intense Canadian pressure in the closing stages.
Both sides scored one try, with the difference coming from the boot of Italy’s New Zealand import, outside-half Rima Wakarua.
He notched four penalty goals and a conversion. His opposite number, Jared Barker, had a night to forget as he missed several kicks at goal that would have given Canada the win.
Click here to read an in-depth match report on the official IRB Rugby World Cup 2003 website.
For the Canadians, the defeat means they can no longer qualify for the quarter-finals.
Italy: G Canale, M Bergamasco, C Stoica, M Dallan, D Dallan; R Wakarua, A Troncon (capt); A Lo Cicero, F Ongaro, L Castrogeovanni, S Dellape, M Bortolami, A De Rossi, A Persico, S Parisse
Replacements: C Festuccia, S Pergini, C Checchinato, S Palmer, M Mazzantini, F Mazzariol, A Masi
Canada: Q Fyffe; W Stanley, J Cannon, M Di Girolamo, D Lougheed; J Barker, M Williams; R Snow, M Lawson, J Thiel, C Yukes, A Charron (capt), J Cudmore, J Douglas, R Banks
Replacements: A Abrams, K Tkachuk, J Reid, J Jackson, S Fauth, B Ross, M King
