Japan coach John Kirwan credited his team's never-say-die approach for salvaging a 12-12 draw against Canada in their final World Cup Pool B match on Tuesday.

Japan looked to be heading towards another defeat after squandering a first half lead to trail 12-5 in stoppage time when replacement Koji Taira scored out wide and Shotaro Onishi landed a conversion from the sideline with the last play of the match.

"It was like getting out of jail," Kirwan told a news conference.

"I thought we showed a lot of courage but I do not think we played that well and we could have played better.

"I suppose you could describe it as a bitter-sweet moment."

Japan's players erupted in celebration when the final whistle was blown after ending their 16-year losing streak at the World Cup, dating back to their lone win against Zimbabwe in 1991.

While Kirwan was unimpressed by his team's overall performance, the former New Zealand international said he was pleased with their defence and Onishi's composure to convert the try.

"Canada threw the kitchen sink at us and we still kept them out," Kirwan said.

"What we did with the ball in the last two minutes was how we wanted to play all game and Shotaro Onishi is great under pressure and if anyone could have kicked it, he could."

Canada, whose proud record of winning at least one match at every World Cup is in serious danger with only one game to go against Australia, said they only had themselves to blame for failing to wrap up the victory.

"We had opportunities but did not take them," coach Ric Suggitt said.

"We have been saying all week that they come on strong at the end of the game and that's what happened tonight. They deserved what they got."

Reuters