No hard feelings at NSW as Cron confirms departure

The Waratahs say departing forwards coach Simon Cron will be “sorely missed” by the club but there are no hard feelings about his move.

Cron is believed to be joining Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz as head coach, joining departing All Blacks coach Steve Hansen who is set to become the team’s director of rugby.

The Kiwi had been earmarked as a potential successor to Daryl Gibson but his coaching ambitions were pushed back a year when Gibson extended his deal through to 2020.

NSW Rugby released a statement on Tuesday night confirming his departure.

“The NSW Waratahs are disappointed by the news as we have valued Simon’s contribution to our team and he will be sorely missed. We understand he has another opportunity, which he will announce in due course” the statement read.

“Simon has added value across NSW rugby union across the Shute Shield, NRC and it has been great to see the roles he has played within rugby in Australia at the different levels of the game.

“Naturally, the focus for Simon and the broader team right now is the 2019 Super Rugby season with plenty of rugby still ahead of us.

“In due course, NSW Waratahs will launch our recruitment process for a new assistant coach – forwards.”

While fellow Waratahs assistant Chris Whitaker stopped short of naming Cron’s new club, he did confirm that the ex-Junior Wallabies coach was headed to Japan.

“He’s got an opportunity over there to be a head coach of a Japanese team with some very experienced coaches around him,” he said.

“You say congratulations to him that’s for sure, happy for him, but at the same time he’s going to leave a big hole here.

“I’m sure that as a whole the guys above me will start searching for a good replacement.”

Waratahs prop Tom Robertson said players were told on Sunday about his plans and understood the need for the assistant to shore up his future.

“We only found out about it two days ago,” he said.

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose a coach of that quality but in saying that, we understand as players and as forwards, you do what’s best for your family.

“If you get offered some security with a job it’s better than having that not-secure future.

“I’m sure Cronno has his hands full with three kids and a wife and he’s just doing what’s best for his family and if he gets a secure job wherever that may be next, that’s what everyone looks for is security with their family and setting up their family.”

Robertson said Cron’s impact on the team could be seen clearly in the progress of their forward pack over his time with the club.

“Cronno’s done a great job the last two years,” he said.

“It’s always sad to see someone like that go but you’ve got to remember what he’s done for the team over the last two years.

“In 2017, we had a poor year as a forward pack and 2018, we ended up coming third in the competition.

“So, I think that sort of speaks for itself, but we’re really happy for Cronno to secure his future, wherever he goes next.

“He’s had a massive impact on us over the last two years, especially me in the front row and all the people beside me. It’s been a great two years with Cronno.”

Whitaker only returned to Australia last year after playing and coaching stints in France and said moving abroad would be a positive move for Cron’s coaching career.

“I think it’s important to see if you enjoy coaching in a different environment,” he said.

“Different experience, different coaches, different experience with different players you haven’t coached before.

“The more experiences you get like that around the world  the better. I suppose it’s only going to benefit him.”

Whitaker dismissed any suggestion that Cron’s departure might open the door for him to potentially take over from Gibson down the track.

“No, no I haven’t thought like that,” he said.

“I only just got in the country so I don’t come into that equation. I’m trying to do my job the best I can at the moment and that’s all.”

Cron, who is the nephew of ex-All Blacks scrum coach Mike Cron, worked his way through the Sydney club ranks and ultimately steered Shute Shield club Norths to their first premiership in 41 years.

He ten took up the reins of the Junior Wallabies, then the Australian U20s, in 2017 before linking up with the Waratahs.

The Waratahs take on  the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday May 4, kicking off at 3:05pm local, 11:05pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo Sports.

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