Rugby: Japan snatch 12-12 draw with Canada

Canada's Craig Culpan (C) is tackled by Japan's Tatsukichi Nishiura (L) and Tomoki Yoshida. Photo / Reuters

BORDEAUX - Japan centre Shotaro Onishi landed a conversion from the sideline three minutes into stoppage time to earn Japan a 12-12 draw with Canada in their World Cup Pool B match on Tuesday.

Japan, who had lost 13 World Cup matches in a row since 1991, seemed certain to lose when they conceded 12 points in the second half before replacement Koji Taira scored out wide and Onishi calmy added the conversion.

Wing Kosuke Endo scored for Japan in the 12th minute to give his team a 5-0 lead at halftime but Canada took control in the second term.

Hooker Pat Riordan and left wing Dth van der Merwe both scored tries while flyhalf James Pritchard landed a conversion to put the North Americans in control of the match before Japan's last-minute reply.

- REUTERS