An imposing Canada team ranked third in the world, a parochial Canadian crowd and a four goal deficit deep into the fourth quarter were still not enough to prevent Australia from claiming a 57-55 victory in the Canada Cup wheelchair rugby final today in Montreal.

In lifting the trophy at the seven-nation tournament, Australia became only the third team to ever win the annual title since its inception in 2004. Only the hosts, and the world number one ranked team, the United States, had earned the honour previously.

But more importantly, the Australian triumph sent a ominous warning to the rest of the world in what was the final international tournament before the Wheelchair Rugby World Championships are held this September in Vancouver.

Buoyed by their supporters in the final, Canada led well into the last quarter and looked like sealing victory until a technical foul committed by their attacking star Fabien Lavoie proved to be the game’s turning point.

With Lavoie yellow-carded and off the court for one minute, the Australian used the extra-man advantage masterfully, and cancelled the Canadians’ three goal lead.

Clearly rattled, the return of Lavoie had little impact for the hosts as the Australians held on to the momentum in the closing stages to post a memorable two-goal victory.

Australian coach Brad Dubberley said victory at the Canada Cup was a fitting end to their recent North American campaign, which also saw them contest a torrid five-games series against the United States, the reigning Paralympic champions. The US won the series in Alabama, 4-1.

“To win the Canada Cup is a great achievement for Australian Wheelchair Rugby,” Dubberley said.

“This win shows that we’re capable of beating any team in the world, but the thing I’m most pleased about was the mental toughness we showed during the whole tournament,” Dubberley said.

“We never gave up and that was the difference. We wanted to win this tournament, we wanted to win the final more than Canada did and it showed in the end.”

The Canada Cup saw Australia, Canada, Great Britain,  Belgium,  Sweden, Japan, and Germany do battle for the title, with all seven teams ranked within the world’s top 10. Japan beat Sweden 60-51 to claim the bronze medal.