Unbeaten against the Wallaroos since 2014, the Maple Leafs proved too powerful and precise in a bruising forward battle at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
All five Canadian tries came from the front row as the visitors' deadly maul proved too much for the vastly improved Wallaroos.
Jo Yapp's Australian side, though, will be heartened after showing significant strides since a last-up 45-7 defeat to Canada in Ottawa 10 months ago.
But poor handling and an inability to bring electrifying wingers Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller into the game enough ultimately cost the Wallaroos.
Aussie flyer Maya Stewart is tackled by Olivia Apps in the clash in Sydney. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
The home side was unable to contain Canada's maul early, with hooker Sara Cline and prop McKinley Hunt both cashing in inside the opening 10 minutes.
Hunt's finish came off an incredible 22-metre drive.
Down 12-0 in less than as many minutes, the Wallaroos had to dig deep to stay in the contest.
And they did.
Powerhouse flanker Siokapesi Palu looked to have grabbed Australia's first try, after storming on to a nice inside pass from Stewart, only for the video referee to pick up a knock on earlier in the lead-up.
There was no denying Tania Naden shortly after when the Wallaroos dealt Canada a shot of their own medicine with a rolling maul strike off a clinical lineout win from Katie Leaney.
On the board in '24 💥— Wallaroos (@WallaroosRugby) Tania Naden scores our first try of the year.📺 @StanSportAU#Wallaroos #PAC4 pic.twitter.com/jTsBenPFe8May 11, 2024
Cline's second try on the half hour, again off Canada's maul, earned the visitors a 19-7 lead at the break.
Hunt's second straight after halftime shot the fourth-ranked Maple Leafs out to a 19-point advantage.
Again, the Wallaroos hit back. this time with a penalty try, after Canadian winger Maddy Grant knocked down Georgina Friedricks' pass that would sent prop Brianna Hoy over for a certain five-pointer.Â
Alas, instead of taking advantage of their one-player advantage with Grant in the sin bin, Australia conceded a fifth try to find themselves trailing 33-14.
Despite showing admirable resistance in the final 20 minutes, the Wallaroos were unable to peg back the deficit.
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