Canada bulldozed their way into the World Rugby Classic semi-finals yesterday with a swashbuckling display which included the try of the tournament so far.

The French seemed surprised by the sheer intensity of their opponents, but could not lift their game to deal with it.

For the large contingent of noisy Canadian fans among the crowd at National Sports Club, it was a party in the sun as their team got progressively better.

When the score reached embarrassing proportions for the country whose national side reached the World Cup final less than a week ago, fists flew between the opposing packs as stung Gallic pride manifested itself.

The Canadians must now play mighty New Zealand in Sunday's semi-final (kick-off 3.30 p.m.) after the All Blacks overcame the United States Eagles 15-5 in yesterday's second match.

France actually went ahead with a sixth minute penalty but it was downhill from then on. Canada hit back with a penalty and a rollover try to earn a 10-3 half-time lead.

The exhibition stuff came after the interval and started with an extraordinary 40-yard run and try from huge number eight forward Ian Gordon.

Gordon gathered a French kick out of defence near the half-way line and unchallenged, he just kept on running forward. The French defence seemed to open up in front of him as he dummied to pass and without even having to ride a tackle, he touched down under the posts.

Gordon said afterwards: "When I caught the ball, I was surprised there weren't three Frenchmen right in front of me. I just managed to run forward behind a couple of blocks by my team-mates and I saw Gord MacKinnon running inside me, smiling. That gave me the confidence to keep on going over the line.'' Centre Tom Woods extended Canada's lead to 22-3 with another fine try 10 minutes later before a sensational score eight minutes from time. The French backs were left dizzy as the Canadians ran the ball from deep inside their own half and play switched from right to left, before Bruce Grey touched down.

Scott McKinnon added a fifth try for Canada.

Gordon added: "This is the toughest, wiliest bunch of guys I have ever played with in my life. All credit to the French for trying to play an open, entertaining game. That allowed us to play the same game. I don't know whether we will beat the All Blacks, but we've got to believe we can. If we go into the game with any other mindset, we'll get thrashed.'' All Blacks skipper Andy Haden watched the Canadian match before leading his side to a hard-fought victory over a determined American team.

"The Canadians are clearly a very good side and we're going to have to raise our game to beat them,'' admitted Hayden.

Seven-time winners New Zealand had to grind out victory over a much younger US side with an average age of 35.

Canada stun French From Page 39 The All Blacks' first try arrived in the 18th minute after an opening in which the Eagles gave as good as they got.

But the superior know-how of the ageing Kiwis paid dividends with a second, rollover try by hooker Bruce Hemera five minutes after the break.

The Eagles threatened briefly after stealing possession from an All Blacks lineout soon after, but the pressure only gave the Kiwis the chance to show off their still-impressive tackling skills.

The powerful New Zealand pack drove over for a third try halfway through the second half to extend their lead to 15-0.

But the US never shirked a tackle and manfully battled on and thoroughly deserved their last-minute consolation try, when wing Bill Nashwinter went over in the corner.

The Eagles will now fancy their chances against France in the Plate semi-final on Sunday (kick-off 2 p.m.).

Haden admitted his side had felt the effects of playing against younger opponents.

"They are a tough little side and they were always going to be dangerous towards the end. They lasted well,'' he said.

"I thought our boys played reasonably well, but we made a few mistakes.'' Haden summed up what the Classic meant to his team. "It's more than just representing your country again. It's getting together with the guys you used to play with and we don't get many chances to do that.'' Unstoppable: Canada number eight forward Ian Gordon leaves a French opponent in his wake as he heads for the tryline during his team's 36-3 victory in the