World Cup exposure key for Canadian rugby: coach

KOBE, JAPAN • A victory over Namibia would mark a successful World Cup for Canada, although giving rugby a “shop window” outweighs the results, coach Kingsley Jones said Tuesday after losing 66-7 to South Africa.

Although the unsurprising loss came just six days after the Canadians were humbled 63-0 by world champion New Zealand, Jones said if the game is to grow in Canada, it needs to be playing at this level, whatever the outcome.

“The biggest thing for rugby in Canada is to be in the shop window,” Jones said. “We have a big audience and the support tonight was incredible.

“We have earned the right to be in this competition. Playing the two top teams in the world in six days is a challenge, but it was one the players really relished.”

Jones believes the road to pro rugby also needs to be smoothed if the national team is to make progress.

“There is a strong rugby community in Canada and we need those players. This shop window will encourage young Canadian players to keep playing.”

But the pathway to professional rugby is “broken.”

“The domestic game in Canada, until recently, was amateur. We do have the Toronto Arrows now taking part in the MLR (Major League Rugby), which is a pathway for players to get an opportunity to be in a daily training environment.

“But it is becoming more difficult for our players to get a chance (in Europe).”

Canada will have a last opportunity to pick up a win Sunday against Namibia.

Jones believes he will be able to call the tourney a success if they can leave Japan with a victory. “It would be considered, from my point of view, very successful if we do get a win,” he said.