Rugby Canada fires coach after World Cup qualifying loss

TORONTO (CP) — Mark Anscombe’s tenure as Canadian men’s rugby coach ended abruptly Thursday when the New Zealander was fired after just 16 months on the job.

Rugby Canada said the move came after an “extensive review” of the national men’s 15s program in the wake of Canada stumbling at the first hurdle of World Cup qualifying.

Anscombe, while not surprised, reacted to the news with disappointment and anger.

“At the end of the day, the team is only the product of a system and the system is (broken),” he said in an interview Thursday. “And no one’s doing anything to improve it.

“What are we doing in this country to help the athlete? The answer is absolutely nothing.”

A straight shooter, he has consistently argued Canada is up against it in the rugby world because too many of its athletes are not playing at a high enough level and are not conditioned to compete on the international scene.

It was a blunt message that likely did go down well with the players in question.

The Canadian men, currently ranked 23rd in the world, lost to the 17th-ranked U.S. in a twogame aggregate series, tying the Eagles 28-28 in Hamilton on June 24 before falling 52-16 in San Diego on July 1.

“It is very apparent to all in the Canadian rugby community that in order for our men’s 15s team to be a successful and respected program we must continue to drive a culture of excellence, commitment and discipline,” Jim Dixon, Rugby Canada’s GM of rugby operations, said in a statement announcing the firing. “This goes for every level of the game.” Canada has another chance to qualify, via a playoff with No. 18 Uruguay early next year with the loser relegated to a world repechage.

Getting to the World Cup qualification is crucial to the men’s program, with much needed funds from World Rugby accompanying qualification. Canada has never failed to qualify.

Rugby Canada CEO Allen Vansen said there will be a global search for a new coach.