Canada came about as close as you can to beating Japan Saturday at BC Place in Vancouver, BC.

The Canadians led a various times through the game and looked to be in excellent shape after a red card against Japan for a shoulder-charge clearout that struck a Canadian player's head.

But Japan unveiled some nifty backline play to take a 26-17 lead. Canada scored again to make it 26-22, and were right on the tryline as time expired. They got over the line, but were held up, and that was the game. Canada scored four tries in the game, but uncharacteristically for them, kicked poorly and only converted one.

Canada 22
Tries: Taylor Paris, Ray Barkwill, Jamie Cudmore, Aaron Carpenter
Conversions: Gordon McRorie

Japan 26
Tries: Takeshi Kizu, Kotaro Matsushima
Conversions: Yu Tamura (2)
Penalties: Yu Tamura (4)

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