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John Mitchell’s days as Head Coach of the US Eagles are officially numbered. The 53-year-old New Zealander was on Thursday unveiled as the new Director of Rugby for the Bulls, South Africa’s regional side based out of Pretoria. Mitchell will replace Nollis Marais in the leading role for the Super Rugby franchise and will officially part ways with the Eagles following the second Rugby World Cup Qualifier in San Diego on July 1.
The news comes as no great shock for Eagles fans, but nevertheless disappointing. Mitchell’s name has repeatedly popped up in the press as being a target for numerous professional outfits and it seemed a move was inevitable. Appointed by former USAR CEO Nigel Melville in January of 2016, Mitchell chose not to reside in the United States, instead flying in from his home in South Africa for camps and matches. New CEO Dan Payne did not hide his desire for Mitchell to move stateside on a permanent basis but his wishes will now not be granted, and Mitchell now leaves the Eagles without an established Head Coach just two years out from the 2019 World Cup.
While opinions were guarded on news of his appointment, Mitchell’s tenure with the team will largely be seen as a positive for USA rugby. Inconsistent selection in the early months gave cause for concern but he began to form a settled squad late in 2016 and led the Eagles to the Americas Rugby Championship title earlier this year with the team playing an attractive open attacking style.
The results of the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Canada will put the final stamp on Mitchell’s legacy. Should the Eagles come away victorious it will enhance his reputation but at the same time leave Eagles fans to wonder what might have been.
USAR will now have the unenviable task of having to decide whether to look for a long-term successor or instead hire a short-term caretaker to lead them to the World Cup. Highly rated Life University and former Junior All-American coach Scott Lawrence has been added to the Eagles coaching staff for June and is seen by some as having the potential to assume the lead role in the future, but his inexperience at senior international level may count against him in the short term.
As the team now prepares for the all-important matches next month it remains to be seen if the untimely off-field distraction will affect on-field performance. At the very list it will spark furious speculation as to who might be willing and able to do the job.
