Bergamasco breaks a Canadian tackle (Getty Images).

By Alex Lowe, PA Sport, Canberra

Sergio Parisse's second-half try proved the difference as Italy scraped past a Canadian side who produced a memorable second-half display only to have their World Cup dreams shattered.

Italy dominated throughout the first half but led only 9-6 at the interval.

They looked to have got away with it when Marco di Girolamo was sin-binned in the second half and through Parisse and kicker Rima Wakarua, Italy ran up 10 points.

But back to full strength, Canada suddenly turned the tables and pinned a rattled Italy in their own half for the final 20 minutes.

Quentin Fyffe scored out wide, but time ran out on and Canada's slim hopes of reaching the quarter-finals - they required a win and a bonus point to remain in the race

Three Rima Wakarua penalties and a narrow lead over the gritty Canadians were Italy's only reward for a frustrating first-half in Canberra.

The Azzurri had dominated Canada in every facet of the game, over-powering them in the scrum and dismantling their lineout, but could not translate that superiority into tries.

Line-busting breaks from blindside flanker Andrea di Rossi and the Dallan brothers, Denis and Manuel, left Canada stretched but the resolute defence for which they are famed held firm.

Closing down quickly in defence, Canada forced turnovers and knock-ons from the Italians, who lacked composure and guile.

That defence forced Italy into their first serious transgression and Jared Barker gave Canada the early lead, entirely against the run of play, from a penalty after 10 minutes.

It was a rare foray into the Italian half for the Canadians, whose most impressive moment came with a sensational 22-metre rolling ball out form their own goal line following a double defensive play from lock Colin Yukes.

Italy levelled through Wakarua after 22 minutes when Newport's Rod Snow collapsed the scrum, under immense pressure from an Italian pack developing into an aggressive force that Wales will be concerned about next weekend.

Wakarua then failed to hand Italy the lead but they remained in complete control of the set-pieces, so much so that Canada coach David Clark was forced to make his first tactical switch after just 29 minutes.

The introduction of Josh Jackson seemed to have stopped the lineout jitters, only for the replacement to drop the ball after a clean take five metres out from Italy's line.

The kickers, Barker and Wakarua, then exchanged penalties in the closing minutes to leave the game enticingly poised, though both sides were desperate for a bonus-point victory.

Italy captain Alessandro Troncon, whose sniping runs round the fringes and pin-point kicks over the defence, caused the Canadians first-half difficulties was replaced at the interval.

The big hits continued, with both sides losing the ball in the tackle in the opening exchanges of the second half.

Conditions were slippery and ball handling tricky following a pre-match storm in the Australian capital, a factor that was helping the Canadians' crunching defence.

But when the Italians kept it tight down the right flank, drew in the Canadian defenders and then quicky spread it - it looked as if they had finally succumbed.

Sergio Parisse was handed the ball wide left but scrum-half Morgan Williams, so the video referee judged, had down just enough to drag the big number eight into touch.

The pressure remained and Marco di Girolamo, the only Canadian to have started all three of Canada's matches, was shown the yellow card for coming into the ruck from the side.

It proved decisive.

Wakarua duly slotted over the simple kick and after Canada had bravely tried to keep the ball in Italian territory, the Azzurri stung them with a powerful run and try from Parisse.

This time is was a clear touchdown after Williams had fumbled the ball at the base of his own scrum and the Italians pounced.

Italy managed 10 points while di Girolamo was off, a period that turned the game - particularly as Barker the missed his second shot at goal.

But the Canadians, with di Girolamo back in harness, suddenly turned the tables and trapped Italy in and around their own 22 for long passages of play.

It was sparked by a break down the left from Quentin Fyffe and almost immediately, the Italians were rattled.

Under absolutely no pressure, full-back Gonzalo Canale took his eye off the ball, knocked on and gave Canada a scrum inside Italy's 22.

This time Fyffe had the space on the overlap after Barker had sent a superb miss-pass across the face of the defence to David Lougheed, who handed outside to the onrushing full-back.

It brought the 20,000 Canberra crowd to its feet, with 66 minutes gone the match was suddenly a five-point game and the Italians were in disarray.

The Canadian scrum was suddenly rock solid, their lineout clicking and after Jackson had risen to snatch one against the thrown and driven forward, Italian hooker Fabio Ongaro was binned with two minutes remaining.

But try as they might Canada could not cross again and it was Italy who lived to fight another day.

Teams

Italy: Canale, M. Bergamasco, Stoica, M. Dallan, D. Dallan, Wakarua, Troncon, Lo Cicero, Ongaro, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Bortolami, De Rossi, Persico, Parisse, Masi.

Replacements: Masi for M. Bergamasco (41), Mazzantini for Troncon (41), Checchinato for Bortolami (30), Palmer for De Rossi (74), Mazzariol for Masi (79).

Not Used: Festuccia, Perugini.

Tries: Parisse.

Cons: Wakarua.

Pens: Wakarua 4.

Sin Bin: Ongaro (79).

Canada: Fyffe, Stanley, Cannon, Di Girolamo, Lougheed, Barker, Williams, Snow, Lawson, Thiel, Yukes, Charron, Cudmore, Douglas, Banks.

Replacements: Tkachuk for Thiel (70), Jackson for Banks (32).

Not Used: Abrams, Reid, Fauth, Ross, King.

Tries: Fyffe.

Pens: Barker 3.

Sin Bin: Di Girolamo (51).

Att: 24,500

Ref: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand).