This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The former All Blacks coach John Mitchell is the new head coach of the US Eagles, it was announced on Monday.

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In an interview released by USA Rugby, Mitchell said: “I’m excited about putting my strengths into play and building on the solid work laid down in the last World Cup cycle.

“I see this as a wonderful opportunity to play a key part in inspiring, mentoring, creating confidence and stability in transforming USA rugby into a strong, globally competitive unit by the end of 2019.”

Mitchell, who has signed a contract through to the World Cup in Japan that year, replaces Mike Tolkin as Eagles head coach. Tolkin, from New York, reportedly reapplied for his job, which was opened to interviews after a World Cup in England in which the USA lost all four of their games in Pool B.

Mitchell, 51, has a had a colourful coaching career. He coached the All Blacks between 2001 and 2003, losing only twice but leaving the role after a third-placed finish at the 2003 World Cup in Australia. He has also coached in England, as an assistant to Clive Woodward with the national team between 1997 and 2000 and at club level in two stints with Sale and at Wasps.

At the latter club he worked with Nigel Melville, then Wasps director of rugby, now chief executive of USA Rugby.

In Super Rugby, Mitchell has coached the Chiefs in New Zealand, the Western Force in Australia – an association that did not end happily – and the Lions in South Africa, where last summer he was reported to have turned down an offer from the Stormers. While in South Africa, he survived being stabbed in the thigh and upper arm, during a break-in at his Johannesburg home.

In New Zealand provincial rugby he coached Waikato, for whom he played in a distinguished career as a No8 which earned him six non-cap All Black appearances. He also coached at provincial level in South Africa.

The US Eagles will this year take part in the first Americas Rugby Championship, kicking off against Argentina in Houston on 6 February. Canada, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay are the other contestants.

PRO Rugby, the first American professional elite domestic competition, is due to start a short season in April. Two of the competition’s projected six team venues have been announced, and one coach. Reports in US rugby have said such appointments were being held until the USA head coach was named.

Mitchell said he would “support and work with the establishment of the pro league and Americas Rugby Championship”, adding: “I know I have a leadership role to play and generate long term sustainability and competitiveness throughout the USA.”

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In the World Cup, first-choice Eagles teams lost to Samoa (25-16), Scotland (39-16) and Japan (28-18), and a weakened selection was beaten 64-0 by South Africa.

Mitchell said: “I was fortunate to watch the Eagles during my RWC 2015 commitments with Super Sport commentating games. I saw a team that was strong in carry in first phase and loved to shoot in defense.

“Lineout accuracy affected exit plays at vital times and … they struggled to get back on structure and get into shape from chaos. They often denied themselves opportunities to put pressure on the opposition as a result of this.

“Plenty of good stuff though that will become even better when the players understand their structures and own it.”