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Stephen Meehan is overhauling the national side’s traditional direct approach. Focusing on the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup, he has named a 32-man squad designed to play dynamic, expansive rugby. At the heart of this transition is midfielder Spencer Jones, whose unorthodox route to international sport involves European backpacking and deep roots in the New Zealand age-grade system. Building Expansive Depth For Canada Meehan took charge in December 2024, inheriting a team that traditionally relied on physical, no-fuss tactics. The former Bath and Toulon coach is now prioritising attacking threats as he builds towards the 2027 tournament in Australia. Current Rugby World Cup champions South Africa sets the global benchmark for combining raw physicality with elite execution, and Meehan wants his squad to develop their own multi-faceted identity. “We want proactive, committed players who are willing to compete and take their opportunities. This is about proving what we’re capable of and showing that we can become a much more threatening team,” the head coach told World Rugby. Following The Yes Across Continents Jones embodies the diverse experience Meehan is seeking. Born in Vancouver but raised in Waikato, the 29-year-old stepped away from the sport after high school. A solo backpacking trip through Europe ultimately reignited his passion for the game. Speaking to RugbyPass, Jones explained that the demanding nature of the New Zealand pathway initially prompted his hiatus. “It’s funny because obviously going through the age-grade stuff in New Zealand, you get a sniff and you’re like really keen. But then I think it just became a lot at that time for me so I thought I’ll take a year off and then come back and give it another crack,” he said. The hiatus proved essential. “That break for me personally was really good to find my feet again and get that itch to go back and see how far I can take this. It’s been a pretty cool, wild ride so far,” Jones added. The midfielder returned to North America, securing a club stint in Texas before signing with the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby, where he lived with current national captain Lucas Rumball. The restructuring of the MLR will have been a concern for Canada in recent years who have relied on this pathway, particularly for some of their homegrown players. Crucial Midfield Partnerships Formed Reunited with Ben LeSage in the midfield, Jones made an immediate impact for Canada Rugby against the USA Eagles in 2021, earning Player of the Match honours during a 34-21 victory. “It was super special. It was cool because it was in Canada as well… it was against USA, the best rivalry that you could ask for really,” Jones told RugbyPass. Since that breakthrough, Jones has gathered significant cross-border experience. He secured an MLR Championship with the New England Free Jacks in 2023, reflecting to RugbyPass that he was “pretty grateful to be able to be in that first team that won the championship,” while praising the environment where “everyone was just in a really good headspace all year which made the season a lot of fun.” Most recently, Jones has maintained his sharpness by training with Waikato in New Zealand while playing for Hamilton Marist. This ongoing connection to elite provincial standards ensures he is prepared for the rigours of international duty. “I was training with Waikato through that time in New Zealand as well. It wasn’t like it was going from just two trainings a week coming into Canada camp and going into four full-blown Test weeks,” he noted to RugbyPass. The pathway from NPC to Super Rugby has proved a stumbling block for many with 14 provinces getting whittled into five Super Rugby franchises. This has led to a block in the pathway for many players like Jones who have the potential to represent other nations. Stepping Up In The Pacific As international rivalries intensify, meticulous tactical preparation is vital. Much as All Blacks analyse Springbok strengths, Meehan’s squad must break down their upcoming opponents. They will face Fiji in their Pacific Nations Cup opener following a rigorous training camp in Tokyo Bay. This tournament will form a crucial part of their build up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup where the team will look to impress having missed out on qualification in 2023. They failed to pick up a win in 2019 but their match against Namibia that they would have been targeting was abandoned. Canada have ended up in Pool C with Argentina, Fiji and Spain. Preparation in the Pacific Nations Championship which includes Fiji, will put them in a good position ahead of the tournament in Australia next year. A successful run is essential for momentum. Just as New Zealand braced for reshuffles in their recent fixtures, Meehan is injecting fresh blood into his own ranks. He has named five uncapped players, including standout rookie Jack Gore, alongside 70-cap veteran Rumball. Integrating this blend of youth, overseas experience, and seasoned leadership will dictate whether this tactical rebuild translates into consistent success.