Wales' Leigh Halfpenny is congratulated by team mate Andy Powell after scoring his side's final try
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Matches: Wales 34 - 13 Canada

Teams: Canada | Wales

Wales were forced to work hard for a 34-13 victory over Canada at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

And in a blow to coach Warren Gatland's plans, James Hook looks set to miss Wales' clash against New Zealand next Saturday after suffering a knee injury during an error-strewn victory.

Ospreys fly-half Hook limped off in the 18th minute, nursing tendon trouble. And there was plenty of collective pain for Wales as they struggled to subdue a country eight places below them in the International Rugby Board world rankings. Tries by Scarlets full-back Morgan Stoddart and Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny gave Wales an unconvincing 10-6 interval lead.

And head coach Warren Gatland's sense of frustration surfaced just 10 minutes into the second period when he substituted skipper Ryan Jones. The All Blacks, unbeaten against Wales since 1953, have little to fear on tonight's evidence, although Gatland will clearly recall players like Lee Byrne, Shane Williams, Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones and Martyn Williams.

Reigning Six Nations champions Wales made the game safe inside an hour when they were awarded a penalty try that Hook's replacement - debutant Dan Biggar - converted. Biggar also booted a penalty, while Bedford full-back James Pritchard - one of three English National League One players in the Canadian side - slotted a penalty double.

A 59,000-strong crowd's prolonged Mexican Wave during the second half summed up their displeasure at easily the worst display of Gatland's nine-Test reign. A second penalty try took Wales further in front, with Biggar adding the conversion, but then he gifted Canada a touchdown when Calgary Irish centre Ryan Smith intercepted his 74th-minute pass.

Halfpenny added his second score - a breakaway effort in injury time - and Biggar's conversion saw Wales home by a 21-point margin that almost flattered to deceive. Gatland made 12 changes from the side narrowly beaten by world champions South Africa last Saturday, with only Jones, Halfpenny and centre Tom Shanklin remaining.

Canada though were not expected to pose a threat, having arrived in Cardiff with an inexperienced team and fresh from a 55-0 drubbing against Ireland. Wales, wearing a new change kit of gold shirts, were leaden-footed throughout the first half, making nine unforced errors.

Halfpenny, easily Wales' most dangerous attacker, went close after he chased a Shanklin kick, yet Canada moved ahead through a Pritchard penalty. Hook missed a chance to draw Wales level three minutes later, and with the home side struggling under Canada's high-kick barrage, there was little to enthuse a bumper audience.

Australian referee Stuart Dickinson was quick to punish Welsh technical indiscipline, and Wales' sense of frustration quickly deepened as Hook departed and was taken straight to the dressing room. Hook's Ospreys colleague Biggar replaced him, before a groggy Shanklin required treatment after taking an accidental Canadian knee in the head.

Wales needed to regroup, and they finally broke through when Stoddart squeezed over in the corner for his seventh try in nine games this season. Biggar narrowly missed the touchline conversion, but Wales - somewhat belatedly - were up and running, only for Pritchard to land a superb 50-metre penalty and edge Canada back in front.

Wales pressed for a second try as half-time approached, yet a combination of forced midfield passing and tight Canadian defence meant the score did not arrive until Halfpenny struck. The 19-year-old produced a top-class finish as he skated around the final Canadian defender to touch down and hand Wales a four-point interval advantage.

Wales began the second period in a more organised fashion, moving patiently through the phases, and a Biggar penalty extended their lead to 13-6. But a double change in the 50th minute saw Jones and debutant scrum-half Martin Roberts replaced by Andy Powell - man of the match against world champions South Africa last weekend - and Dwayne Peel.

Jones cut an exasperated figure on the touchline, yet he could have few complaints, given Wales' rudderless performance, as Peel took over leadership duties. A penalty try, awarded against the Canadian front row, quickly followed, and Wales were home and dry at 20-6 with a quarter of the contest still remaining.

Sustained pressure deep inside Canada's 22 suggested points might at last begin to flow, but it was visiting centre Smith who struck, collecting Biggar's pass for a try that Pritchard improved. The impressive Halfpenny had the final word, yet Wales will want to place a giant full stop after this performance and move swiftly on.

Wales: Stoddart, Halfpenny, Shanklin, Bishop, M. Jones, Hook, M. Williams, Yapp, Hibbard, Thomas, Gough, Charteris, D. Jones, Sowden-Taylor, R. Jones.

Not Used: Rees, E. Roberts, A. Jones, Powell, Peel, Biggar, J. Roberts.

Canada: Pritchard, Hearn, Keys, Smith, Mensah-Coker, Monro, Fairhurst, Tkachuk, Riordan, Thiel, Hotson, Jackson, Sinclair, Kleeberger, Carpenter.

Not Used: Pletch, Walsh, Burak, Stephen, Williams, Evans, Van Camp.

Att: 59,000

Ref: Stuart Dickinson (Australia).