With all four sides guaranteed a place in the last four, the matches between Australia and Canada and the US and Japan were to determine who topped groups A and B.

The winners of the Group A decider knew that victory would more than likely guarantee avoiding the US in the semi-final so both sides had enough incentive to go out hard.

So it proved, as it was a close and tense contest throughout with neither side establishing any sort of commanding lead.

But it was Canada who began to wilt in the fourth and final quarter and conceded some crucial turnovers which the Australians capitalised on to run out eventual 68-61 winners.

"This is exactly where we wanted to be and it's where we expected to be," said Australian head coach Brad Dubberley.

"It was our goal to be on top of our pool after the five pool games.

"Canada ran out of momentum and if you can get the jump on them early, that forces them to a play of style that they don't like.

"We were able to do that well and it was just a great game all round from our guys I thought."

Australia maintained their unbeaten record at the Wheelchair Rugby World Championships with a hard-fought win over Canada ©Brian Mouridsen/Danish NPC




The Canadians will now take on North American rivals the US after they put in a hugely impressive performance against world number four side Japan.

The US look determined to hold on to their world title and will be fancied heavily to at least make the final on Sunday (August 10) following a 65-45 win over the Japanese.

"This kind of started off the weekend which was good and Japan is a good team," said US captain Joe Delagrave.

"Our big thing is just coming out on fire, playing our brand of rugby whoever we play.

"We run line after line after line and it wears down guys who are normally on the court for four quarters at a time."

Elsewhere, despite going down to a surprise defeat to France, European champions Sweden secured third spot in Group B with a 54-50 overtime win over Germany in the first of their two matches today.

Germany went down again after they lost out 48-33 to New Zealand who secured fourth place in the group.

In Group A, Great Britain took third spot thanks to a narrow 45-43 victory over Belgium while a 57-48 win over Finland helped hosts Denmark to secure fourth in the group.

In tomorrow's classification games, Finland will play Germany, France take on Belgium; Sweden will face hosts Denmark while Great Britain will be up against New Zealand.

Then the Arena Fyn will play host to the main semi-finals as the US take on Canada and Australia face Japan.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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