Preview: Wales v Canada

Leigh Halfpenny: Expecting a busy night

Given the events of last Saturday at the Millennium Stadium and Warren Gatland's subsequent wrath, Wales will know they must not only record a convincing victory over Canada on Friday, but record a complete performance to go with it.

See, and we all know this, you can beat a side by a handsome margin (just look at Ireland's victory over Canada last weekend) but that doesn't necessarily equate to a polished display. Given the way Wales choked in the dying stages of Saturday's defeat, Gatland will want everything to run smoothly throughout this time around.

That said, and this is said with all due respect to those playing, not even half of the team will be there when Wales trot out against New Zealand the following week. Yes Gatland has warned his players that their places are not safe, but even show-stopping displays from fringe players will not be enough to see them oust the first-choice.

This is not to say the game is pointless. There are indeed players with something to play for, be it a place against New Zealand, or, as is the case with the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Martin Roberts and Morgan Stoddart, a Test career. But then there are those, such as John Yapp and Dafydd Jones, who may well consider themselves lucky to be there in the first place.

Regardless of what each individual has to play for, this is about a collective team effort, it is about moving on from last week, and most importantly it is about setting down a marker ahead of Tests against New Zealand and Australia.

And Wales, in case they needed reminding, failed to fire for long periods against Canada when the sides last met - which set the tone for a rather dismal World Cup for Wales. A repeat display on Friday could see Wales stuttering into their meeting with the mighty All Blacks, which is not the best way in which to approach such a game.

Despite several fresh faces Wales have a core of experience that should see them coast past a green-ish Canadian side - so long as they approach the game with the right mindset. Anything less and Canada, with nothing to lose, will do as they did in Nantes and cause Wales some major problems.

Whilst Wales are looking for a solid display, and subsequent result to go with it, Canada are, in their own words, looking to dispel the idea they are a joke. Following their heavy defeat at Thomond Park the Irish media was less than subtle in their criticisms of Canada.

"The guys want to go out and prove they are capable, especially after being called jokes and different things in the press," assistant coach John Tait said in the week.

"We felt some of the stuff that was said by the Irish press was just over the top. It hurts. Our guys may be amateurs but they train like professionals."

And that is where the difference will lie on Friday, Wales are a professional side, whereas Canada are still striving to reach that level. So whilst they may compete to start off with they will struggle to contain Wales as the game wears on.

One to Watch:

For Wales: After last week's missed chance against South Africa Warren Gatland has rung the changes, giving us plenty of new faces to run the rule over. Martin Roberts gets his first cap at scrum-half and will have a lot to do if he wants to become a regular in the Welsh squad. With Mike Phillips out injured, and Gareth Cooper proving he is not a Test player there is a chance for Roberts to stake a claim to be Dwayne Peel's understudy.

For Canada: Having spent a few years in Wales with Cardiff Blues, Ed Fairhurst will know all about what to expect. He never really got the run of games to prove his worth whilst at the Arms Park, and will be eager to impress in front of his old employers, and a few old team-mates, on Friday. He might not be the most technically-gifted player, but with plenty of heart there is no question that he warrants a place in the Canada side.

Head-to-Head: There could be an exciting battle out on the wing, as Leigh Halfpenny faces off against Justin Mensah-Coker. Both of these players have bags of speed, and both are new to the Test stage - albeit Mensah-Coker has a bit more experience than Halfpenny. Wales will look to use the young Cardiff Blues star, and those who have seen him thus far will know he can be deadly with ball in hand. Canada will look to do the same, but may struggle to utilise Mensah-Coker to full effect. Either way both wings will be looking to have a busy game.

Previous Results:

2007: Wales won 42-17 at Stade la Beaujoire, Nantes (RWC)

2006: Wales won 61-26 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

2005: Wales won 60-3 at York Stadium, Toronto

2003: Wales won 41-10 at Colonial Stadium, Melbourne (RWC)

2002: Wales won 32-21 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

1999: Wales won 33-19 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

1997: Wales won 28-25 at Markham

1994: Wales won 33-15 3 at Markham

1993: Canada won 26-24 at Cardiff Arms Park

1987: Wales won 40-9 in Invercargill (RWC)

Prediction: With a host of changes, and a Warren Gatland rollicking still fresh in the ears, Wales will be in no mood to show any charity on Friday. And, given the experimental nature of Canada's side, this should be a big victory for Wales. Wales by 35 points.

The Teams:

Wales: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Mark Jones, 10 James Hook, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Ryan Jones (c), 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 6 Dafydd Jones, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 John Yapp,

Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Eifion Roberts, 18 Alun-Wyn Jones, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Dan Biggar, 22 Jamie Roberts.

Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Bryn Keys, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Josh Jackson, 4 Tyler Hotson, 3 Jon Thiel, 2 Pat Riordan (c), 1 Kevin Tkachuk.

Replacements: 16 Mike Pletch, 17 Frank Walsh, 18 Mike Burak, 19 Sean Michael Stephen, 20 Morgan Williams, 21 Matt Evans, 22 Dean Van Camp.

Date: Friday 14 November, 2008

Kick-off: 19.30 GMT

Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Weather Forecast: Volanic clouds of ash, born through the city on hurricane-strength winds, will precipitate a year's rainfall during the first half alone, clearing later to an icy clear night. Not that it would affect anything: the roof will be closed.

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Touch judges: Matt Goddard (Australia), David Changleng (Scotland)

Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)

Assessor: Jim Fleming (Scotland)

By Marcus Leach