Rugby Union: Wales 61 - 26 Canada

Wales last night handed out the expected beating to Canada - by nine tries to two - and can now get down to the business of preparing for next week's visitors, the All Blacks - with or without Gavin Henson.

The Ospreys centre was left out at the last minute when team medics decided not to risk his infected toe. They say he should be fit for Saturday but, with Stephen Jones still recovering from ligament problems, James Hook is now in pole position to start against New Zealand despite a far-from-faultless first performance in the Wales No10 shirt. The 21-year-old made a shaky start to his fifth international, but recovered to kick eight conversions from nine attempts.

With so much focus on next week it was easy to forget that this was the second dry run in a fortnight for Wales against World Cup pool opponents. But Canada, whom they meet in Nantes on September 9, were rusty, not having played in three months. In the eighth minute they reacted with leaden legs as Hook's chip fell nicely into the path of Gareth Thomas. Shane Williams tore through the middle seven minutes later and the hooker Matthew Rees added a third after clever play from Hook, Martyn Williams and Dwayne Peel. Canada pegged them back to 21-9 but Wales, buoyant after a draw with Australia, their main pool opponents, and victory over the Pacific Islanders, shunted the Canadians back to be awarded a penalty try on half-time.

When Peel nipped through the Canadian lineout four minutes into the second half it was almost time to give up counting, although it is worth noting that when Hook failed to convert Jonathan Thomas's second try it was his first miss in 12 attempts at goal for Wales. Dan Pletch and Mike Pyke scored consolation tries for Canada.

Wales G Thomas (capt); M Jones, Shanklin, Parker (Sweeney, 59), S Williams; Hook, Peel (Phillips, 59); Jenkins (D Jones, 52), Rees (R Thomas, 52), A Jones, Gough, Evans (Sidoli, 64), J Thomas, M Williams (AW Jones, 69), R Jones.

Canada Fairhurst; Pyke, Smith, Spicer (Monro, 40), Prichard; Daypuck, Williams (capt; Mensah-Coker, 66); Tkachuk, Lawson (M Pletch, 45), Gainer (D Pletch, 43), Tait, Burak, Webb, McKeen, Stephen.

Referee T Spreadbury (England). Att 74,002.