Canadian winger Phil Mackenzie scored a late try to help his side fight back from a seven-point, second-half deficit to open their rugby World Cup campaign with a 25-20 victory over Tonga in the northern New Zealand city of Whangarei this evening.
Lock Jebb Sinclair scored a first half try for the Canadians while number eight Aaron Carpenter barged over after his side had gone 20-13 down with about 20 minutes remaining.
James Pritchard added two penalties and two conversions for the North Americans in the Pool A clash.
Tonga's centre Siale Piutau scored two tries while fullback Kurt Morath added 10 points for the Tongans, who have now lost all three of their World Cup clashes with Canada.
Piutau scored his first try after 19 phases late in the first half that reduced the deficit to 10-7 at the break then scored another midway through the second half to give his side a seven-point advantage.
Tonga lost to the All Blacks in the opening match of the tournament last Friday.
In Rotorua this afternoon Samoa won its opening match beating Namibia 49-12.
Winger Alesana Tuilagi scored three of Samoa's six tries.
Samoa next play Wales in Hamilton on Sunday, a match which could decide which team advances to the quarterfinals.
