Cymru were on a hiding to nothing, and even the fates turned against them.
Who could imagine both their newly-minted co-captains, Alex Callender and Kate Williams, succumbing to injury? Beth Lewis took charge.
As so often, they started well; they reached to two metres from the line; but Canadian confidence shone through as Alex Tessier launched a cross-kick while still in deep defence.
Old Welsh faults showed again. They pounded at the line through a dozen phases, but couldn’t score; Molly Reardon, replacing Kelsey Jones at No 2, repeated her feat of three faulty line-out throws. Who is the coach responsible? Or was it the wet ball?
McKinley Hunt scored the first Canadian try by orthodox means. The second, by Alisha Corrigan, showed their teamwork at its best.
Hunt had her second, this time on the end of a wonderful attack, the ball always made available for a player in support.
The bonus-point came to Asia Rochester-Hogan with a run from two miles out down the left wing.
Half-time: 28-0
The two consolations for Cymru were a much improved performance over last week and the limit they kept on Canada’s scoring potential. In these dark days of Welsh rugby a total of ‘only’ 42 points against may be seen as a minor triumph.
Sean Lynn was as good as his word: he gave new young players their chance, exemplified by Seren Lockwood at scrum-half. Keira Bevan, for so long a mainstay of the side, can only improve when threatened by competition for her place.
Tries by Gabrielle Senft, Taylor Perry and Brittany Kassil made the game safe for the world’s number twos, and any contest that Sophie de Goede competes in reduces the opposition’s chances drastically. She dominated the line-out, carried the ball for miles and struck six conversions from six.
This second setback ends Wales’ chances. Lynn, his staff and the WRU can now start planning for the 2029 RWC.
Result: Canada 42 Wales 0
Player of the Match: Sophie de Goede
