Wales finally won enough ball to allow their backs to show their class
Wales (9) 42
Tries: Parker, AW Jones, Williams (2), Charvis
Cons: Jones (4)
Pens: Hook (3) Parker, AW Jones, Williams (2), CharvisJones (4)Hook (3) Canada (12) 17
Tries: Cudmore, Culpan, Williams
Cons: Pritchard
Wales survived a huge scare in their opening World Cup match before overcoming a determined Canada side.
Canada led 17-9 after 45 minutes in Nantes after tries from Jamie Cudmore, Craig Culpan and Morgan Williams.
But the introduction of Stephen Jones and Gareth Thomas sparked Wales to life as they dominated the last half hour.
Sonny Parker, Alun Wyn Jones, Colin Charvis and Shane Williams (2) crossed to ensure the victory which had looked a distant dream for the Welsh side.
Wales, wearing black armbands in honour of former Welsh Rugby Union president Sir Tasker Watkins who died on Sunday, lined up in unfamiliar grey jerseys.
And the dullness of their shirts was matched by their play in the opening exchanges as they struggled to find any cohesion.
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They at least managed to force Canada to concede penalties in their own half, and James Hook kicked three of his four attempts to put Wales 9-0 up after 15 minutes.
Canada's intentions were clear after picking a strong and experienced pack, and their opening try on 25 minutes all down to forward power.
A scrum deep in Wales 22 provided the perfect attacking platform, and Cudmore eventually barged his way over from a few yards out as Wales buckled under heavy pressure.
Wales were left stunned 10 minutes later as Culpan ran almost the length of the field to score Canada's second try.
Wales had looked destined to score as a break by centre Tom Shanklin put Canada on the back foot, but Hook's attempted long pass was intercepted by Culpan and the centre had enough pace to race home.
Pritchard converted and the half-time whistle came as a blessing for the shell-shocked Wales players.
The break had little effect, though, as Canada scored their third try after just five minutes of the second-half.
Scrum-half Williams made the initial break before the Canada forwards again inched their way towards the Wales line with powerful drives.
Shanklin was Wales' most potent attacking threat in Nantes
The score looked inevitable, and it was Williams who finally borrowed his way through.
Wales needed a quick response, and coach Gareth Jenkins immediately turned to the experience of Thomas and Stephen Jones
The change had the desired effect as Wales finally came alive.
Jones almost scored with his first touch, a desperate Canadian covering tackle preventing the fly-half from grounding the ball as he dived over the tryline.
But the crucial score arrived moments later from the resulting scrum as Jones' reverse pass sent Parker over. Jones converted to bring Wales back to within a point.
Wales finally had the initiative, and they regained the lead five minutes later.
A Canada clearance from behind their own tryline was charged down and lock Alun Wyn Jones pounced on the loose ball to score.
With the Canadians tiring, the outstanding Shanklin then had a hand in the next two Wales tries as Williams crossed twice in as many minutes.
A Stephen Jones break then laid a try on a plate for flanker Charvis, another replacement who played a huge part in Wales' revival.
Jenkins had stressed the importance of starting their campaign with a win, but Wales will need to raise their game a few notches if they hope to challenge Australia in next Saturday's crucial group match in Cardiff.
Wales: Morgan; M Jones, Shanklin, Parker, S Williams; Hook, Peel (capt); G Jenkins, M Rees, A Jones, Gough, AW Jones, J Thomas, M Williams, Popham.
Replacements: T Rhys Thomas, D Jones, Owen, Charvis, Phillips, S Jones, G Thomas.
Canada: Pyke; Van der Merwe, Culpan, Spicer, Pritchard; Monro, Williams (capt); Snow, Riordan, Thiel, Tait, James, Cudmore, Biddle, Stephen.
Replacements: Carpenter, D Pletch, M Pletch, Burak, Yukes, Fairhurst, Smith.
Referee: A Rolland (Ireland)
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In the pool stage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, eight teams played their first matches of the tournament.  Wales came from behind to defeat Canada after a first half scare. South Africa comfortably defeated Samoa, while Ireland beat Namibia and Scotland beat world cup debutants Portugal.
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Canada score a try against WalesImage:  ManuelWales prepare for a scrumImage:  Manuel
In Pool B, Wales took an early lead against Canada with three penalties from James Hook. However Wales struggled throughout the first half, and tries from Canadians Jamie Cudmore, Craig Culpan and Morgan Williams meant that Canada led 17-9 early in the second half.

Wales improved in the last half hour of the match. Tries from Alun Wyn Jones, Colin Charvis and a double from Shane Williams regained the lead for Wales.
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F DanySiva tauImage: F Dany
In a very physical encounter in Pool A, South Africa comfortably defeated Samoa. The South Africans led 9-0 after fifteen minutes with Percy Montgomery kicking three penalties. Samoa scored their only points of the match soon afterwards when Gavin Williams scored and converted a try. 

South Africa led 21-7 at half time after tries from Bryan Habana and Percy Montgomery. They controlled the second half, and tries from Jaque Fourie, J P Pietersen, a second from Percy Montgomery and a second half hat-trick from Bryan Habana completed South Africa's victory.
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Portugal, making their first ever appearance in the world cup, faced Scotland in Pool C. Rory Lamont scored two quick tries for Scotland followed by a try from Scott Lawson to give Scotland a 21-0 lead. Pedro Carvalho scored Portugal's first world cup try, and Duarte Cardoso Pinto converted as well as scoring a penalty. However Scotland were too strong and Rob Dewey, Kelly Brown, Dan Parks, Hugo Southwell and Ross Ford all scored tries for Scotland. Dan Parks scored 15 points from his try and five conversions.
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Pool D saw Ireland take on Namibia. Despite a messy performance from Ireland, they led at half time thanks to tries from Brian O'Driscoll, Andrew Trimble and Simon Easterby. Early in the second half, Ireland were awarded a penalty try when two scrums collapsed, but Namibia responded with tries from Jacques Nieuwenhuis and Piet van Zyl. Towards the end of the match Jerry Flannery scored Ireland's fifth try to secure the win.