Canada names World Cup coaches

Rugby Canada have secured their support staff for head coach Kieran Crowley for the 2015 World Cup, with some familiar names included. While Neil Barnes and Mike Shelley are likely to ring a bell with followers of Canadian rugby, Leo Crowley might not – last name aside.

The younger brother of Kieran – one of six brothers (and one sister) – does not come without credentials. For five years he has acted as right-hand man to highly respected Colin Cooper at Taranaki, culminating in a first ever ITM Cup final victory in 2014, the highest division of New Zealand rugby outside Super Rugby. Crowley had been expected to continue in his role with the province for the upcoming season, but will instead come to Canada’s aid with Cooper’s blessing, cognizant that international opportunities do not come often.

Leo Crowley is not entirely unfamiliar with the Canadian program. In 2013 he spent six weeks with the team on their European tour in as a guest coach for development purposes. With Taranaki, Crowley has acted as a backs specialist, and spent time as both attack and defense coach. He takes the place of another New Zealander, Scott Hansen, who is headed to Leicester Tigers of the Aviva Premiership as their new defense coach.

The Taranaki connection doesn’t stop there, as Barnes continues in his role as forwards coach, a position he has filled since 2009. Before he began refining the likes of Jason Marshall and Jebb Sinclair, the full-time dairy farmer was also assistant coach of the province, and worked for several seasons with New Zealand age-grade sides.

Shelley has held numerous coaching positions in Canada since retiring as a professional player in 2006. The former Leeds prop spent two seasons coaching the Wolf Pack before joining the national program as academy manager and scrum coach in 2010. His academy role ended this season with Ken Goodland and Jeff Williams now overseeing the junior program, but he remains as resident front row expert.

This will be Kieran Crowley 8th year in charge of Canada’s senior side, succeeding Ric Suggitt in 2008. He was previously head coach of Taranaki and guided New Zealand u19 to a world title in 2007. As a player he won 19 caps at fullback for the All Blacks, and was part of the World Cup-winning squad in 1987. His contract runs until June of 2016.