Canada Classic have a shot at winning a maiden title at the World Rugby Classic after holding off last year’s champions Argentina Legends 22-17 in an epic semi-final at the National Sports Centre last night.

Former rugby league player Blake Mahovic was the hero for Canada with two of their three tries. The Canadians, who have never won the tournament since it started in 1988, will now meet the winner of tonight’s second semi-final between South Africa and France.

Mahovic, 32, who is playing in the tournament for the first time after representing Canada in rugby league, was thrilled to play a huge role in his team’s victory.

“It was pretty incredible to beat the Argentinians and we can’t wait for the final on Friday,’’ the full-back told The Royal Gazette.

“When we came out here, we didn’t know what to expect. It’s my first tour and I knew from the first training session that we had a really strong team.

“We just went out there and believed in one another. Canada haven’t really done too well in the tournament, but we put all that on the sidelines, went all out and it paid off.

“The key for us was working together. We just believed in each other, we all worked so hard and when you work that hard, wins will come, he added.

“Our combinations were coming together. The boys just put their bodies on the line the whole game, and I couldn't be prouder of everyone.

“We are ready for whoever we’ll meet in the final. South Africa and France both look strong, so we’ll see who we come up against.”

Argentina centre Juan Marsano, a member of last year’s victorious side, gave credit to Canada for coming out stronger into the match.

“As we were the defending champions, we were expecting to get to the final and it’s sad that we didn’t achieve that,” Marsano said.

“It was a tough game and Canada has great backs on the outside. They had a great strategy and they got over us.

“We’ll come back stronger next year. The game of rugby has taught us that when we go down, we get back up right away.”

Canada drew first blood with Mahovic going over for a try from a great offload by fly-half Mike Maloney, who went on to add the extras with a successful conversion.

Argentina hit back when prop Juan Doria barged over the line and Gonzalo Taboda made it 7-7 from the kicking tee.

Loose forward Huw Grundy powered his way for Canada’s second try, but Maloney’s boot let him down as he missed the conversion. But the Canadian No 10 found his kicking range with a penalty goal to give his side a 15-7 half-time lead.

Argentina cut Canada’s lead to five points at the start of the second half when the Canadians were penalised for not rolling away. Taboda called for the tee and struck the penalty through the posts.

With 15 minutes remaining, Mahovic scored the key try. He received the ball from a scrum, went around the Argentina defence to score near the posts. Maloney made light work of the conversion to make it 22-10.

Eight minutes from the end, Argentina scored their second try of the match. Scrum-half Guiliano Balbi forced his way over the line in the left corner, with Taboda’s successful conversion kick bringing last year’s champions within five points.

Maloney attempted a penalty without success from near the halfway line with three minutes to go as Canada tried to close the game out.

It was Argentina who had the final push for victory though. They won a penalty and kicked for touch but the line-out went straight into Canadian hands, bringing the contest to a close.

Meanwhile, Classic Ireland defeated United States Classic Eagles 31-13 to book a spot in Friday’s Plate final. Ireland’s opponents will be determined tonight when Classic Lions take on Italian Classic in the other semi-final for the consolation silverware.