By Canadian Press

Veteran Australian coach Steve Meehan takes over Canadian men’s 15s rugby team

Dec 20, 2024 | 11:07 AM

Australian Steve Meehan has been named coach of the Canadian men’s rugby team, succeeding Kingsley Jones.

Meehan, whose coaching journey has taken him to France, England, Japan and Canada, was named head coach of the Toronto Arrows in October 2023 only to have the Major League Rugby franchise fold a month later.

He previously coached in France with Toulon and Stade Francais, England with Bath, Japan with Kintetsu Liners, and Australia with the Western Force and Queensland Reds.

He led Bath to the 2008 European Challenge Cup title.

Meehan inherits a team ranked 23rd in the world rankings, sandwiched between Hong Kong and the Netherlands. The Canadian men have lost five straight and 10 of their last 12 tests.

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“Steve brings proven experience in coaching successful teams and a strong track record for improving players,” Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys said in a statement. “We believe Steve’s positive coaching and leadership will create the right environment for our team to achieve the growth needed to reach their potential and qualify for the Rugby World Cup.”

Meehan will look to spearhead qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, initially via the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup. Canada failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, the first time the men have missed the sport’s showcase.

“We did a wide and expansive search for the next coach, evaluated over 150 coaches and Steve came through the process as our top candidate,” said Steven Aboud, Rugby Canada’s high performance director.

That search apparently happened quickly — or had been in the works for some time. Jones, a former Wales captain, stepped down Dec. 4 after seven years on the job.

“This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the next chapter for Canada’s Rugby Team and help guide the program into the future,” Meehan said in a statement. “I know Canada is a proud rugby country with a deeply passionate rugby community, and I look forward to start meeting coaches and players around the country.

“I see great potential in the players and I look forward to the role I can play to help grow the team and our sport across Canada.”

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2024

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press