Wales 42, Canada 17
Head coach Gareth Jenkins hailed the impact made by Stephen Jones and Gareth Thomas after they came off the bench to save Wales from a World Cup upset.
Canada led 17-9 early in the second half following tries from Jamie Cudmore, Craig Culpan and captain Morgan Williams and Jenkins was left with no option but to cash in his insurance policy.
Thomas was introduced at full-back for Kevin Morgan and Jones replaced James Hook and immediately took control of the match.
Wales scored five tries in the last half hour - through Sonny Parker, Alun-Wyn Jones, Colin Charvis and two from Shane Williams - but know just how close they came to an ignominious defeat.
''We were disappointed in our performance at half-time,'' said Jenkins.
''Canada had a part to play in that and you have to give them credit for putting the pressure on us.
''But I was pleased by our reaction to conceding the try early in the second half. It was appropriate to make the substitutions and the game changed from there.
''The substitions made a big impact, they brought a positive energy onto the field and a clear view of how the game needed to be played.
''Then we put half an hour of good rugby together. A win was the most important and we have got half a performance.
''I am reasonably pleased but disappointed with some elements. We have committed ourselves to learning the lessons.''
Jones was playing his first rugby in four months after being rested for the Australia tour and then missing the three August pre-World Cup internationals with a hip-flexor injury.
There had been much speculation as to whether Jones deserves to start at fly-half ahead of Hook in next weekend's pivotal Pool B clash with Australia.
Jones clearly revelled in proving the doubters wrong and he said: ''It was just great to be back on a rugby pitch after thinking that I might miss the World Cup.
''It was a good, hard game for us but we kept our belief and we kept faith in our gameplan."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article