Crowley's Coaching Career: A Global Journey in Rugby
From the provincial grounds of New Zealand to the high-pressure environments of international test rugby, Crowley has established himself as a versatile and ambitious coach. His career is defined by a commitment to evolving the attacking play of his teams and a willingness to take on challenges across three different continents.
Early Success in New Zealand
Crowley began his significant coaching trajectory with the Taranaki provincial side, where he served as coach from 1998 to 2007. His expertise was further recognized between 2002 and 2003, when he acted as a selector for the All Blacks, New Zealand's premier national team.
In 2007, Crowley led the New Zealand Under 19s at the World Championships in Ireland. Under his guidance, the team remained undefeated throughout the tournament, culminating in a 31–7 victory over South Africa in the final. This marked the first time the team had won the competition since 2004.
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Transforming Rugby Canada
In March 2008, Crowley was appointed head coach of the Canadian national team, replacing Ric Suggitt. While Canada was traditionally known for its physicality, Crowley sought to shift the team's identity by emphasizing skill development and a more dynamic attacking style.
Early Challenges and World Cup Qualification
Crowley's tenure began with mixed results, including losses to Scotland A and an Argentina XV side. However, he secured his first official test match victory on June 21, 2008, defeating the United States 26–10 in the bowl final in Chicago. Later that year, he led Canada on an ambitious four-match European tour, facing three Tier 1 (top-ranked) nations—the most Canada had ever faced on a single tour. While they defeated Portugal 21–13, they struggled against Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
By July 11, 2009, Crowley successfully guided Canada to the 2011 Rugby World Cup by defeating the United States with an aggregate score of 47–30. Despite some setbacks, including losses to Japan, 2010 became Canada's best-ever season under his leadership, featuring wins over Uruguay and France A.
The Pacific Nations Cup and Later Years
In 2013, Canada joined the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup. In their debut season, Canada performed strongly, defeating Fiji and Tonga, though a grueling match against Ireland shortly before the final impacted their energy. They ultimately finished second in the tournament after a narrow 16–13 loss to Japan.
The latter part of his Canadian tenure was more challenging. After qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Canada struggled, failing to win a single match in the tournament. This decline saw Canada drop to 19th in the World Rugby Rankings by the end of 2015, their lowest position to date. Despite a contract extension to lead the team through 2017, Crowley stood down as head coach on January 6, 2016.
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Impact in Italy and Transition to Japan
Following his time in Canada, Crowley moved to Italy, where he coached Benetton Treviso starting in the 2016–17 season. His success at the club level led to his appointment as the head coach of the Italian national team in May 2021.
During his tenure with Italy, Crowley achieved a victory rate of 34.78% (8 wins and 15 losses), the highest for any Italian head coach since Pierre Berbizier (2005–2007). His leadership was praised for improving Italy's discipline, enhancing their offensive capabilities, and integrating a new generation of young talent. He was replaced by Gonzalo Quesada on January 1, 2024.
In November 2023, Crowley transitioned to Asian rugby, accepting the role of head coach for MIE Honda Heat in Japan’s League One.
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Key Facts
- New Zealand Success: Led the NZ Under 19s to an undefeated World Championship win in 2007.
- Canadian Milestone: Guided Canada to their best-ever season in 2010.
- World Cup Qualifications: Successfully qualified Canada for both the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.
- Italian Record: Achieved the best win rate for Italy since 2007, including victories over Australia and Wales.
- Current Role: Head coach of MIE Honda Heat in Japan's League One.
Career Summary Table
| Team/Organization | Role | Key Achievement/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Taranaki | Coach | Served from 1998 to 2007 |
| NZ Under 19s | Coach | Undefeated World Champions (2007) |
| Canada National Team | Head Coach | Runners-up: Churchill Cup (2010, 2011), Pacific Nations Cup (2013) |
| Benetton Treviso | Coach | Started 2016–17 season |
| Italy National Team | Head Coach | 34.78% win rate; wins over Australia and Wales |
| MIE Honda Heat | Head Coach | Appointed November 2023 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Crowley's primary goal when coaching Canada?
Crowley aimed to move Canada away from being seen solely as a physical side, placing a stronger emphasis on the development of technical skills and attacking play.
How did Crowley perform as the head coach of Italy?
He achieved 8 victories and 15 losses, the best victory rate for an Italian head coach since the 2005–2007 period. He was specifically praised for improving the team's discipline and offense.
Which tournaments did Crowley find success in with Canada?
He led Canada to runner-up finishes in the Churchill Cup in 2010 and 2011, as well as a runner-up finish in the 2013 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.
When did Crowley move to Japan?
Crowley was appointed as the new head coach of MIE Honda Heat in Japan’s League One in November 2023.
What happened to Canada's ranking during Crowley's tenure?
Following a winless 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign, Canada dropped to 19th in the World Rugby Rankings, which was the country's worst-ever position at that time.