Rugby: Anscombe set for Canada role

Former Auckland coach Mark Anscombe could be set to for a shift to Canada. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Another New Zealand coach looks to be heading towards an international appointment.

Former NZ under 20, Auckland and Ulster coach Mark Anscombe is tipped to be a frontrunner to lead Canada.

The head coach's role became available in January when Kieran Crowley resigned after eight years to take up a job in Italy.

A review of his work and Canada's performance at the recent World Cup offered "a limited vote of confidence.

Crowley quit months after agreeing to an extension as there was no guarantee he would lead Canada through to the next World Cup even if Canada qualified.

The former All Black fullback took Canada to the 2011 World Cup where they had a win and a draw but they failed to win a game in the 2015 tournament in England.

The Canadian women's coach Francois Ratier took over the men's team for the Americas Rugby Championship last month as the union searched for a replacement.

After a series of discussions and interviews, it is understood Anscombe was offered the job with terms and conditions to be ratified before he began work in the middle of the year.