Japan celebrate securing a draw in their only Rugby World Cup clash with Canada © Getty Images

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Matches: Canada 23 - 23 Japan

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: France | Japan

Japan head into their Pool A clash with Canada in Napier on Tuesday boasting a slender historical advantage over the Canucks.

Japan have won 11 of the 20 matches between the two sides since their first meeting in Osaka in 1932. That game ended 9-8 with Japan outscoring Canada in tries 3-1. It took Canada 59 years and six matches to record their first victory over the Japanese, which came in Vancouver in 1991. The Canucks scored eight tries in a resounding 49-26 victory as they finally ended their search for a win.

However, after enjoying a period of success, Canada's record has taken a turn for the worse with Japan winning two of the last three meetings between the nations. The other result was a 12-12 draw in Bordeaux in the pool stages of the 2007 Rugby World Cup - their only previous head-to-head in the global showpiece.

Canada v Japan

All-time record: Played: 20, Canada won 8, Japan won 11, Draw 1

Biggest winning margin: Can: 44 (62-18, Markham, 2000); Jap: 38 (46-8, Miyagi, 2009)

Highest score: Can: 62 (62-18, Markham 2000); Jap: 46 (46-8, Miyagi, 2009)

Most tries: Can: 8 (62-18, Markham 2000 and 49-26, Bordeaux, 1991); Jap: 6 (46-8, Miyagi, 2009)

Most points (individual): Can: 91 Bobby Ross; Jap: 32 Toru Kurihara

Most tries (individual): Can: 6 Kyle Nichols; Fra: 5 Terunori Masuho

Most points in a Test: Can: 22 Jared Barker (62-18, Markham, 2000); Jap: 24 Toru Kurihara (39-7, Tokyo 2001)

Previous World Cup meetings: One (Can 12-12 Jap, Bordeaux, 2007)

Statsguru archive:

Click here for Canada's Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click here for Japan's Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click here for a record of all Canada v Japan matches courtesy of Statsguru