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Rugby Canada CEO Allen Vansen has released a statement following Canada’s Americas 2 Rugby World Cup Qualifying series defeat to Uruguay in Montevideo. Los Teros clinched their spot in the 2019 World Cup by winning both Qualifier matches against Canada and have now defeated the North American side in three consecutive meetings.
Canada have one remaining opportunity to qualify for RWC 2019 in the Repechage tournament in November. The format will be a round-robin against three opponents yet to be determined.
Canada must finish the series as the best of the tour contestants to secure their invitation to Japan. They have never failed to qualify for the World Cup since the competition’s inception in 1987.
In his statement Vansen refers to Rugby Canada’s restructuring in 2017 following a comprehensive program review. The changes saw both Senior Men’s Head Coach Mark Anscombe and General Manager Jim Dixon depart the organization.
Anscombe has since been replaced by Kingsley Jones while Rugby Development Manager Dustin Hopkins is acting as General Manager until a permanent replacement is identified. The organization has also been without a High Performance Manager since Steve Lancaster opted to return home to New Zealand in January 2015.
Vansen’s statement in its entirety can be seen below.
