Cain Won't Return to Coach Eagle Women

01.03.2023National Teams

usa wnt v ire rob cain 2021 ian muir 1967

USA Women's 15s Head Coach Rob Cain has officially announced that he will not return to coach the USA team.

Cain's contract with USA Rugby had expired and while USA Rugby had not said explicitly that he would not be asked back, the ongoing High Performance review, coupled with Cain's 5-17 record in test matches (wins over Canada, Ireland, Japan, Australia, and Scotland) led most observers to believe that a different coach would be sought.

A jovial and well-liked man who couple an laconic humor with a deep understanding of the game, Cain had won at the professional level in the UK, but couldn't find the right formula to hang with the top four in the world.

His team's give test victories were all close (average winning margin exactly 6.0 points) and losses against top teams were quite emphatic: 0-3 vs New Zealand; 12 points scored, 150 allowed; 0-4 vs England 24pf, 236 pa; 0-1 vs France (14-53); and, most tellingly, 1-7 vs Canada.

This despite the fact that the USA squad sported players who are considered World Class. Hope Rogers made the all-tournament team at the World Cup; Kate Zackary is captain of her team in England; Rachel Johnson and Alev Kelter are considered among the best in the women's game.

In a statement released on social media, Cain thanked everyone he had met and worked with and praised the "some of the most courageous, strong, and talented women I have had the opportunity to coach."

He also touted the fact that 23 USA players are now playing professionally in the UK—something Cain undoubtedly had an influence in bringing about.

However, results are king, and the Rob Cain USA team did not win test matches. And while Cain also mentioned reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals as an achievement, that is, historically, the minimum benchmark for a program that has reached much higher heights.

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