Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Phil Mack has joined Rugby Canada’s Men’s Development Academy as an Assistant Coach. The 35-year-old will work alongside long-time international teammate Jamie Cudmore, current Head Coach of the Pacific Pride, and under the watchful eye of Men’s Performance Director Kingsley Jones.
It’s welcome news for Mack, whose contract with the Seattle Seawolves was not renewed despite his success as player-coach with the Major League Rugby side. He had been open to a coaching position anywhere in North America but the new father will now get to stay in his home town of Victoria.
Mack has already enjoyed significant triumphs as a coach despite playing through the 2019 World Cup. He won a MacTier Cup with the BC Bears in 2017 before claiming back-to-back MLR titles in 2018 and 2019, the first as acting Head Coach.
As Mack arrives another former international standout departs the Pride. Adam Kleeberger has taken up a role as Defense Coach with the Trinity Western Spartans program, joining a staff that now lists Hubert Buydens, Julie Sugawara, and Guiseppe du Toit under Director of Rugby Andy Evans. Kleeberger will continue to head up Rugby Canada’s recently-expanded talent identification program.
