LEEDS, ENGLAND—Canada is 0-2 in pool play at the Rugby World Cup after dropping a 23-18 decision to Italy on Saturday.

The Canadians, who burst out to a 10-0 lead early, couldn’t hold on to secure their first victory at the tournament. Instead, Italy made some history, completing the biggest comeback in a Cup match since the 2007 quarter-finals, where France beat New Zealand from 13-0 down.

“We came close,” said Canadian winger D.T.H. Van der Merwe. “The game was there for the taking but we made some key decisions that resulted in us not winning, making poor passes and not taking extra rucks.”

Italy, which came into the match on a six-game losing streak, had won four straight against Canada since their first Cup match in 2003. The Canadians were just the tonic the European side needed for an overdue confidence boost.

“We’re pretty disappointed, to be honest,” Canada head coach Kieran Crowley said. “I thought our guys gave it everything they could. They played with some real emotion, some real energy but in the end it wasn’t quite good enough.”

Italy didn’t get on top of Canada until right on halftime, when fly half Tommaso Allan kicked his second penalty.

Canada regained the lead three minutes into the new half and dominated the third quarter but couldn’t finish chances. Canada closed to within two with nine minutes to go, but the Italians used their superior scrum to finish an enthralling match stronger.

The teams scored two tries each, and the excitement was heightened by shoddy tackling.

Van der Merwe brought the match to life when he started and finished a brilliant try from deep in his own 22. He beat his marker on the sideline, and tore into Italy’s half. Center Ciaran Hearn was in support, and offloaded back to Van Der Merwe, who ran between two Italians who collided, and round behind the posts.

“It was maybe one of the most special ones, doing it here on the world stage,” Van der Merwe said of the try. “I listen to the World in Union song before each game and it brings a tear to my eye.”

Van der Merwe has scored in three successive games: Twice in the warm-up against Fiji, and one in the tournament-opening loss to Ireland.

To have a shot at making the quarter-finals, the Italians must beat Ireland next. But the Irish aren’t one of their favourite opponents, not with only one win against them in 18 years.

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