Rugby World Cup 2011: Monro saves Canada from Japan defeat

FORMER Edinburgh player Ander Monro earned Canada a 23-23 draw against Japan at McLean Park in Napier, New Zealand, today.

In doing so the grandson of the late Lord Hector Monro, former President of the Scottish Rugby Union, denied Japan their first World Cup victory in 20 years.

Shota Horie and Kosuke Endo scored tries and James Arlidge added 13 points from the boot for Japan, who were seeking to end their Pool A campaign on a high.

But Canada, who beat Tonga earlier in the tournament and meet New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday, scored tries through DTH van der Merwe, Phil Mackenzie and Monro. James Pritchard kicked a conversion and Monro a penalty.

Further sustained pressure from Canada was rewarded when Monro barged over, but he could not add the conversion.

He made amends, though, kicking a penalty two minutes from time to tie the scores, before Arlidge screwed a drop-goal attempt wide as Japan were forced to settle for a draw.