Italy's national rugby team proved too much for Canada on Saturday.
The 12th-ranked Italians defeated Canada 41-6, dominating the Canadians with a strong second half.
Fly half Ander Monro kicked two first-half penalties for the 13th-ranked Canadians, who trailed 13-6 at halftime.
``Canada played really well in the first half, and then we had a guy (Forrest Gainer) sent off the field for a yellow card, and that put a lot of pressure on us,'' said Canadian head coach Ric Suggitt. ``Then our defence bent a little bit too much in the second half and the Italians started to run away with it.
``After that the Italians kept 80 per cent of the possession of the ball and put us under immense pressure.''
Winger Marko Stanojevic scored two tries to lead No. 12 Italy.
Replacement forwards Alessandro Zanni and Martin Castrogiovanni and captain Marco Bortolami also scored for the Azzurri. Fullback David Bortolussi kicked five conversions and two penalties.
The Canadians were missing Mike James, a lock who plays for Stade Francais, because of his club commitments. The team was also without Canadian forwards Colin Yukes and Jamie Cudmore, because of their European club duties.
The Canadians were coming off a 62-26 loss to No. 9 Wales last week. Canada's head coach Ric Suggitt made several changes to the side since that loss. Lock Mike Burak had to return to his French club side in Pau while winger James Pritchard was given leave to go to Australia where he is best man in a wedding. Centre David Spicer and No. 8 Sean-Michael Stephen were injured against Wales.
Italy, meanwhile, had narrowly lost to Australia and Argentina in the last two weeks.
