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Leigh Halfpenny injury overshadows big Wales victory against Canada

Leigh Halfpenny was visibly upset as he was stretchered from the field after his knee appeared to give way. Photo by Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images

Rampant Wales ran in 10 tries to thump Canada 68-12 in their mid-year international in Cardiff on Saturday, but a 100th test appearance for fullback Leigh Halfpenny lasted only 30 seconds before he went off with what looked a serious injury.

Halfpenny was visibly upset as he was stretchered from the field after his knee appeared to give way when he tried to launch a counter-attack, and before any Canadian player had tackled him.

There will be concern as to how long the 32-year-old may be sidelined. He was ruled out of the 2015 Rugby World Cup after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in a warm-up game against Italy, which saw him missing for over a year.

Halfpenny's misfortune will overshadow what was an impressive win for a Wales side missing 10 players on duty for the British & Irish Lions in South Africa, as well as injured captain Alun Wyn Jones among a number of other absentees.

Canada took the lead following a try for wing Kainoa Lloyd, but there was never any prospect of an upset as Wales streaked into a 40-5 lead at half-time.

Scrum-half Tomos Williams, wing Jonah Holmes and replacement flanker Taine Basham, who was on debut, scored a brace of tries each, to go with scores for flank James Botham, prop Nicky Smith, hooker Elliot Dee and lock Will Rowlands.

Wales will face a sterner test next Saturday when they host Argentina in Cardiff, the first of two matches against the South Americans.