Romania played one of the oldest tricks in the sporting book - the rope-a-dope. Canada pounded the Romanian line in the opening half an hour, dominating possession and territory as the graphic below shows...

Image source, Opta

But the Romanians survived that early pummelling, climbing back off the ropes to fight back and even up both possession and territory after 80 minutes.

Image source, Opta

Morecambe and Wise, Bert and Ernie, Shearer and Sheringham. Great double acts and Canada v Romania is only the first half of your World Cup two-hander tonight.

Will Fiji v Uruguay be the straight man to this quirky game? Find out in a little over half an hour on these very pages.

Bye for now.

Italy will be a different proposition to Canada, but Romania have given themselves a chance of nabbing third place in Pool D. As we know, Ireland and France have already seized the two quarter-final spots.

Canada loaded their side of the scoreboard, but did not do enough to outweigh Romania's comeback.

Romania's victory is officially the biggest comeback in Rugby World Cup history, having been 15-0 down at one stage.

Romania could pip Italy to third spot and an automatic spot at Japan 2019 if they beat the Azzurri on Sunday at Sandy Park.

This result suddenly gives them everything to play for in that one. Although Italy might not be so easily pushed around in the pack.

Romania's players either drop to their knees or jump for the skies as they kick the ball into touch and are rewarded with the final whistle.

Not a single man is left at their original height.

Image source, Getty Images

A minute to go. Romania line-out on halfway. Safely claimed. Jamie Cudmore offside and over-eager.

Romania kick up into the Canada 22m, Surely the final play to come and Romania won't lose it from here...

It's good! A mighty belt with the boot and the ball drops through the middle.

Those missed kicks from Gordon McRorie in the first half are looking costly for Canada now.

Penalty Romania!

Canada heading backwards at the scrum and Florin Vlaicu is lining one up from out wide and 35m away...

Image source, AFP

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport Online

The Romanian support had already erupted as their side crossed under the posts a few minutes ago, ignoring the obvious penalty that referee Wayne Barnes had already signalled for. 

Suddenly there seem to be about twice as many Eastern Europeans inside the ground. The Romanian pack has finally come to the party and it promises to be a lively last five minutes.

Has Mihai Macovei got the ball down cleanly? It looks like it on first viewing...

Canada flanker Jebb Sinclair throws himself into the wheels of the rolling maul, bringing it down illegally.

Yellow, a penalty and Romania call the packs back together. Canada are forced to press-gang a forward into the front eight.

Nathan Hirayama's kick is charged down and charger Florin Surugiu is almost onto it, before DTH van der Merwe appears on the scene and tidies up.  

Still a line-out to Romania and just a handful of metres to pick their way through.

Image source, Reuters

Romania are struggling to get a grip on the bar of soap that is passing for a ball today.

Every time they try something more elaborate than a pop to a forward, a knock-on checks their progress.

Image source, Getty Images