Feeney joins Canada coaching staff

Canada has confirmed their Senior Men’s coaching staff for the June international window, adding Blues assistant Paul Feeney as a Technical Advisor for the three game series against Japan, Russia, and Italy. The 52-year-old New Zealander is a backs and skills specialist who was Head Coach for the Auckland provincial side prior to joining the Super Rugby franchise in 2015. He will aid new Canada head man Mark Anscombe, who himself departed Auckland when Feeney joined the team as an assistant in 2011.

A fullback for North Harbour in his playing days, Feeney has a lengthy coaching resume that includes two years in Japan as Head Coach of Ricoh, a stint as Assistant Coach to Wayne Pivac with Fiji 7s and XVs – which brought him a 7s World Cup title – and a variety of roles for Bay of Plenty, including High Performance Manager and Assistant Coach. Feeney will stay with the Canadian team through the June series before returning to his role with the Blues.

Also announced is a permanent position for Graeme Moffat as Assistant Coach. After winning the 2015 Canadian Rugby Championship with the Wolf Pack, Moffat joined the Canadian team as an attack coach for the World Cup and continued in the role for the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship. Currently Director of Rugby for Alberta, it appears he will continue in that role and join the Canadian side during all competition windows.

Scrum specialist Mike Shelley – formerly of Leeds – continues as Forwards Coach, and Irish export Michael Deasy arrives from Samoa to take over from departed Andy Evans as Head of Strength & Conditioning.

CANADA SENIOR MEN’S XVs STAFF

Head Coach – Mark Anscombe
Assistant Coach – Graeme Moffat
Forwards Coach – Mike Shelley
Technical Consultant – Paul Feeney
Strength & Conditioning – Michael Deasy
Analyst – Aaron Takel
Physiotherapist – Mallory White
Athletic Therapist – Jessica Smith
Tour Manager – Jim Kazakoff
Operations & Logistics Manager – Alana Gattinger