Team profile: Canada

Canada have failed to reach the second stage in the last four tournaments. Photo / Getty Images

Canada have played in every World Cup, and have reached the quarter-finals just once (1991).

Team bio:
World Cup Appearances: 6
Last World Cup result: Group stages
Best-ever RWC: Group stages
IRB Ranking: 14
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley
Key player: Jamie Cudmore, who plays at French club Clermont, a powerful figure, if armed with a volatile reputation.

Overview:
New Zealand had a role in Canada's finest World Cup achievement.

The teams met at Lille in northern France in a quarter-final of the 1991 tournament, and the Canadians gave a decent account of themselves, too, before going down on a rainy afternoon, 29-13.

They had a good group of players, like Gareth Rees, Al Charron, Glen Ennis, but haven't really kicked on.

The Canadians have been ever-present at the cup, indeed winning their first game, 37-4 against Tonga at Napier.

Last time round wasn't particularly memorable - losses to Wales, Fiji and Australia and a 12-12 draw with Japan all they had to show for their efforts.

The Canucks ensured their seventh straight appearance, and became the first team to qualify for the tournament, with victory over two legs against the United States two years ago.

Former All Black fullback Kieran Crowley is in charge now.

So expect them to be organised, and you'd anticipate goalkicking should be well covered.

Fixtures:
Wednesday September 14 v Tonga, Northland Events Centre (Whangarei)
Sunday September 18 v France, Hamilton (Waikato Stadium)
Tuesday September 27 v Japan, Napier (McLean Park)
Saturday October 1 v New Zealand, Wellington Regional Stadium (Wellington)