Vancouver-born Spencer Jones spent his teenage years living in New Zealand, coming through the rugby ages at Waikato before you decide to take a break from sports. It was a choice that led to life-changing opportunities and “rekindled that love” for rugby.
Jones played 18 test matches for Canada and the midfielder was named in the 32-man squad for Asahi Super Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2026 But the journey to this point has spanned multiple countries and taken a dramatic turn during a solo backpacking trip across Europe.
The now 29-year-old started out playing club rugby in Vancouver, before joining Edmonton’s Nor-Westers and even getting a chance to play alongside future Canadian teammate Ben LeSage as part of the under-13s.
But after moving from the Great White North to New Zealand and finishing high school, Jones decided to take a break. Jones was backpacking through Europe alone, before a chance encounter with someone in a hostel opened a series of extraordinary rugby doors.
Jones returned to North America after agreeing to play for a club in Austin, Texas, which led to an opportunity in Canada. The New Zealand-raised prospect eventually moved in with several future icons of Canadian rugby, including current captain Lucas Rumball.
Scrum-half Andrew Ferguson and future two-time Rugby Canada player of the year Matt Heaton also lived there. Then there was an opportunity to join those in which they remained Major League Rugby on the sidelines, the Toronto Arrows and Jones continued to “follow yes.”
“It’s funny because obviously when you go through the age grades in New Zealand you get a sniff and you’re really into it. But then I think it got to be a lot for me at the time so I thought I’d take a year off and then come back and give it another go,” Jones said RugbyPass.
“That break for me personally was really good to find my feet again and get that itch to come back and see how far I can take this. It’s been a pretty cool, wild ride so far.”
Jones signed for the Arrows and quickly became a regular in the opposite side. The center made several appearances off the bench early in the 2021 season before returning to the starting role inside center, and never really looked back.
Toronto secured a hard-fought nine-point win over the Houston SaberCats, with Jones starting in the centers alongside LeSage in 2021. The second-five would then go into games against the San Diego Legion, Austin Gilgronis and NOLA Gold.
The international debut for the Canadian national team was not too far behind, as it was declared the start of a 34-21 drought triumph. USA Eagles. Jones received man of the match honors, once again pairing with LeSage in the midfield.
“It was super special. It was super because it was in Canada … it was against the USA, the best rivalry you could really ask for,” Jones said.
“The US was on the rise at the time and it took Canada a long time to beat the US.
“Even being able to call my parents and say I’m starting this week, the first test, really exciting. Unfortunately they couldn’t come because it was during Covid.”
“All the hard work and the struggles you stay in all the time, it was pretty exciting, and then to get the big win against the USA at the time was super, super sweet.”
Jones spent several seasons with the Arrows before being announced as a signing for New England Free Jacks December 12, 2022 The Free Jacks won the MLR championship for the first time that season, defeating Legia in a thriller 25-24.
New England dropped just one game that campaign, against San Diego in the second round, a long-standing record. But Chicago Hounds In 2026, it became the first MLR team in history to successfully go through a season without defeat.
“I’m pretty grateful to be able to be on that first championship team,” he reflected.
“It was such a fun year. We had such a good group of guys and really good coaches, and I learned a lot that year.
“The manager there obviously prioritized all the things on the field, but also the things off the field. Everyone was in a really good space all year which made the season a lot of fun.”
Jones didn’t play another game for the Free Jacks after that championship decision, but remained in the MLR after agreeing to join the Utah Warriors. It was a team captained by Australian-born winger Bailey Wilson, who would later go the other way by signing with New England before 2026.
But after two seasons and about 12 appearances for the Warriors, Jones left MLR. The center most recently played for amateur Hamilton Marist in New Zealand but spent some time training with Waikato.
“I trained with Waikato during that time New Zealand also. It wasn’t like going from only two practices a week to arriving at the Canadian camp and going into four full test weeks.
“I’ve been lucky enough to do this for a while, so I’m back in a team where all the appointments are really well marked; the training sessions are well done. The first week, just finding my feet again, and then it’s been pretty smooth for sure.”
