Share

Cron becomes Waratahs assistant coach

Cape Town - The Waratahs have announced that Simon Cron will join the team as an assistant coach at the conclusion of this year’s Shute Shield competition.

Cron who began his coaching career in New Zealand, took Norths to their first Shute Shield victory since 1975 last year, and has just returned from coaching Australia’s best juniors at the Under-20s World Championships in Georgia. 

Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson says that Cron is a coach on the rise and has plenty to offer the team. 

“Simon has shown that he can perform as a coach at many levels already. We’ve recognised his ability and talent and we want him to be a part of the Waratahs,” Gibson said. 

“He has strong coaching credentials and followed a pathway from club rugby to the NRC and then to the Australian Under 20’s that’s led to the point where I think he’s ready to step up to Super Rugby and to become a coach of the future at NSW.” 

The 41 year-old former openside flank who has lived in Australian for the last 11 years says he knows this is a great opportunity for him to coach at a high level and sees this as an exciting development in his career. 

“I’m looking forward to working with Daryl and working hard in the off season to focus on everything we can and need to do to win,” Cron said. 

“I think one of the areas of focus will be contact zone & getting over the gain line which is essential so I am looking forward to helping.” 

Cron played over 130 Division 1 club games in New Zealand and as a Canterbury Metro representative before beginning his coaching career. 

“The majority of my life I have been involved in rugby as either a player or a coach and I want to keep developing my knowledge in all aspects of the game,” said Cron.

“I know many of the players in the Waratahs already and I think the ones I’ve worked with know I drive pretty high standards across the park with a high focus on success and winning.” 

Cron says he’ll continue to coach at Norths and won’t think past that until the end of the season. 

“Norths has been a huge part of my career, I love the club and the players and all the people there and it will be hard to leave. The playing group and coaching staff would all bleed for the club and it will be difficult to think of leaving that. 

“But the opportunity to work with the Waratahs is exciting for me and I’ll do what I can to make them successful.”

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE