Interview with Jon Phelan
Following a rise through the Canadian development system, Jon Phelan’s rugby career continues to grow.
Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Phelan won his first Cap for Canada in the fall of 2010 against Belgium and has gone on to play 11 test matches in total. The 27-year-old has also appeared for Canada 4 times this year with wins coming against USA and Fiji and losses versus Ireland and Japan.
Following this month’s Rugby World Cup Qualifiers against USA, Phelan will make the jump to professional rugby with Lille Métropole Rugby in France. I caught up with the 6’8 second-row, who’s studying for a masters in civil engineering, to chat about his pathway to the national team, his professional contract and the upcoming USA tests.
Hi Jon, thanks for joining me. Growing up in Quebec, how did you get involved in rugby?
I started playing rugby when I was 14. I played different sports growing up, but when I had my growth spurt my parents encouraged me to join a sport and I chose rugby and I’ve been playing and loving it ever since.
What was your pathway to the national team?
I played through high school and then 2 years of CEGEP (College de Education General et professionel) and began playing with my club, St Anne de Bellevue. While in University I played for McGill for three years, also playing for Quebec from the age of 19 onwards for four years. In University I took an exchange to New Zealand and played rugby in Auckland for four months. After I graduated from Mcgill with a Civil Engineering degree, I got involved with the Atlantic Rock of the Canadian Rugby Championship.
In the 2010 CRC season I started all but one game and was picked for the ARC tour to Argentina. During that time I was working as a railway bridge engineer, but when I was picked for the November Tour I took time off to go and I won my first cap versus Belgium. At the end of the November tour they offered me a spot in the North Wales academy (RGC 1404), and I made the decision to put my working career on hold to pursue rugby fulltime.
Congratulations on signing with Lille in France. Are you excited for the challenge of playing pro rugby?
Yes, I’m very excited to go play pro in France. I think it will be a great experience for me to play quality rugby week in, week out in. I’ve never been to France before and they have a strong rugby culture, and I’m keen to learn as much as I can from the experience.
The team has gathered in Oakville for the upcoming RWC Qualifiers against USA. How’s the mood around the players as they begin preparations?
I think everything is coming together well for the qualifiers; we’re working hard. We’re ramping it up right now and we’re bringing in some new philosophies and making sure we’re all together. Even though we have a winning history against USA we’re not taking these tests lightly. The USA will bring a physical team in both matches.
These games will be your first alongside Canada RWC veteran Jamie Cudmore. Being someone who has had a lengthy, successful career in France, are you excited to take the field with him?
Very excited. I’ve been rooming with him and it’s a bit daunting coming into playing with a guy like him who’s one of the best second rows in the world. But, as big and daunting as he is, he’s a nice guy and he’s got a lot of good advice to share and I’m looking forward getting on the field and learning from him.
Since making your test debut in 2010, you’ve received 11 caps. What aspects of your game do you feel that you have improved on over that time? And, what are you working on towards the 2015 RWC?
I think I’ve improved on being aware of what I’m capable of and becoming stronger in all of my weaker areas. I’ve always been good at lineouts, so I’m targeting my open-field decision-making and contact effectiveness. Improving on my weaker areas is what will help me make it onto the 2015 RWC squad.
For the 2015 RWC, my decision to play in Lille was important for my development as a player. Lock is a hard position on your body so I’m going to try and harden up over the next few years and hopefully make my way onto the 2015 team, which is my ultimate goal.
Canada’s last game against Ireland featured a crowd of over 20,000 fans. How was that experience as a player, and are you excited for the home test on August 24?
That was definitely the biggest game I’ve ever played in. BMO Field is an amazing facility and the fans were supportive of us.
We’re all excited to see the #REDNATION crowd at the game on the 24th and we’re hoping they can bring an extra boost for us, which brings some extra energy to the team while we’re on the field.
Thank you, Jon. All the best against the USA.
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