Head coach Mark Anscombe could not get the Langford-based Canadian rugby team to the World Cup through the front door. Now he has been shown the door.
New Zealander Anscombe, hired in April of 2016, was relieved of his duties Thursday. Someone, yet to be determined, will be at the helm when sa国际传媒 meets Uruguay in the two-game, total points Americas regional repechage in February for a berth into the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
That was necessitated by the decisive and sobering 80-44 loss to the U.S. in June in the two-game, total-point North American qualifier for the World Cup that sent shock waves of panic throughout Canadian rugby. It represented a departure point for Canadian rugby, which has qualified for every previous World Cup as North America No. 1, and has never before had to go through the Americas consolation route. sa国际传媒 has slipped precipitously from being ranked No. 12 in the world in 2011, as the bearded darlings of that year鈥檚 World Cup, to now No. 23.
鈥淧ersonally, I liked Mark Anscombe, but obviously, we鈥檙e all disappointed to miss on our first chance to qualify,鈥� said veteran Canadian player Phil Mack of Victoria.
鈥淏eating Uruguay is definitely an achievable goal for us.鈥�
Yet, who will be at the Canadian helm for the qualifier is to be determined.
鈥淩ugby sa国际传媒 will work with World Rugby in conducting a global search for a permanent head coach. Fulfilling this important role is critical for Rugby sa国际传媒 and we will take the necessary time to find the right candidate,鈥� said Allen Vansen, CEO of Rugby sa国际传媒, in a statement.
Changing bench bosses midstream is a gamble. But it was felt something needed to be done to jolt things in Langford.
鈥淚t is very apparent to all in the Canadian rugby community that in order for our men鈥檚 XVs team to be a successful and respected program, we must continue to drive a culture of excellence, commitment and discipline,鈥� said Jim Dixon, GM of rugby operations and performance for Rugby sa国际传媒.
鈥淭his goes for every level of the game. As a collective community, we must address the gaps in our system and strive to provide our young players with the best possible environment to excel in the game, and we have a lot of work to do in this regard.鈥�
sa国际传媒鈥檚 crucial home game next year in the first leg of the World Cup qualifying set against Uruguay will likely be played at sa国际传媒 Place. The team will re-centralize at the Rugby sa国际传媒 Centre of Excellence in Langford next month to prepare.
鈥淚 am 100 per cent confident the program staff, and most importantly, the players, will respond to the challenge in front of them,鈥� said Dixon.
鈥淭he program will recommence in September with new resources in place to support them.鈥�
The Canadian developmental team will compete in the Americas Pacific Challenge in Uruguay this fall as part of preparations for the November Test window in Europe.
