Paris — Japan ended a 13-game losing streak at the Rugby World Cup on Tuesday and celebrated after holding Canada to a 12-12 tie.
Japan, assured elimination from the tournament and playing its final group match, earned the draw in Bordeaux with an injury time try. Its players hugged each other after the game, with some in tears.
“I think today was like a World Cup final for both Japan and Canada, and I think 40,000 people have probably gone away pretty happy,” Japan coach John Kirwan said.
In Tuesday’s other game, Romania twice rallied to beat Portugal 14-10 in Toulouse. Portugal, competing in its first World Cup, will finish last in its group. Romania plays New Zealand on Saturday in Toulouse.
In Bordeaux, Japan trailed 12-5 when Koji Taira dived over in the corner. Shotaro Onishi then added the conversion.
“We have to look at ourselves and make sure we do enough to win games,” Canada coach Ric Suggitt said. “We had opportunities in the second half to pull away and we didn’t do it.”
In Toulouse, hooker Joaquim Ferreira gave Portugal a 7-0 halftime lead with a converted try in the 18th minute. But Romania’s forwards took command of the game after the break and Marius Tincu evened the score.
Goncalo Malheiro put Portugal in front with a penalty in the 69th. Three minutes later, Florin Corodeanu turned the game around with a second Romanian try.
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