Polynesian neighbors Samoa and Tonga experienced mixed fortunes Wednesday upon the resumption of the Rugby World Cup after two rest days, while England and France lost important players from their squads because of shoulder injuries. Giant winger Alesana Tuilagi collected a hat trick among Samoa's six tries in a runaway 49-12 win over Namibia to open its campaign, but it was Canada's seesawing 25-20 victory to inflict Tonga's second loss in five days that provided the event with its most thrilling result so far. After leading 10-0, Canada conceded 20 of the next 23 points before scoring two late tries to improve to 3-0 against Tonga in World Cup head-to-heads that stretch back to the inaugural 1987 tournament, also staged in New Zealand. Having lost to New Zealand in Friday's tournament opener, Tonga's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time look to be over. Canada has to regroup quickly to play France Sunday. “That was awesome,” Canada captain Pat Riordan said. “I'm so proud of the boys and the way they played and the guts they showed. We knew it was a pretty strong wind there in the second half. It just shows what the Canadian boys can do.” Scotland won its second match in chilly Invercargill, beating Georgia 15-6 in a dour clash featuring few highlights and zero tries. The only match Thursday is a Cold War classic with the United States going up against Russia in New Plymouth.
