Wales have opened their Rugby World Cup 2003 campaign with a 41-10 defeat of Canada in their Pool D match at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.
Canada had the better of the early exchanges, but Wales posted a five tries to one victory to earn a valuable bonus point.
Iestyn Harris was the star for Wales, creating plenty of chances for his outside men and collecting 14 points with the boot.
With Wales a man down after Sonny Parker was sent to the sin bin in the 72nd minute for an infringement at the ruck, a determined Canadian outfit were rewarded with a late try when replacement forward Kevin Tkachuk bulldozed over.
Bright start
Canada had the better of the early exchanges, posting the first points of the match through a drop goal to veteran fly half Bob Ross.
Things got worse for Wales when skipper Colin Charvis was yellow carded for striking Ross in the face, leaving his side a man short for 10 minutes.
But Wales, starved of possession early on, scored seven unanswered points while their captain was in the sin bin.
The silky skills of high profile rugby league recruit Harris came to the fore after 16 minutes when he glided through the Canadian defence to set up centre partner Sonny Parker for the first try.
Harris proved a handful for the Canucks' defence, setting up their first try and creating space for his outside men.
Harris burst
Another burst by Harris in the 30th minute created space for Sweeney, who set sail for the try line only for scrambling defence from Canada to force the knock on just short of the try line.
Scrum half Gareth Cooper scooted over from the base of the ruck for Wales' second try 10 minutes from half time.
With Harris contributing 10 points from his boot Wales took a 17 point lead into the break.
A determined Canadian side kept Wales scoreless for the first 14 minutes of the second half before first half hero Harris delivered a neat pass to Parker, who turned the ball back inside to find wing Mark Jones in support to score.
Four minutes later Charvis capitalised on an earlier Canadian error at the ruck to post Wales’ fourth try of the match and earn the bonus point. Harris kept his perfect record intact adding the conversion.
Canadian skipper Al Charron was replaced after struggling with well documented knee injury, his replacement Tkachuk claiming their only try.
Wales earn a bonus point to joining New Zealand at the top of Pool D on five points.
Next games
Canada face another tough match this time against New Zealand on Friday, 17 October at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne, while Wales play Tonga at Canberra Stadium on Sunday, 19 October.