Western Force head coach Simon Cron has been appointed to a highly-credentialed trans-Tasman coaching panel for the AUNZ Invitational XV ahead of their match against the British and Irish Lions at the Adelaide Oval on July 12.
Rugby Australia confirmed the appointments on Wednesday morning, with Cron joining AUNZ head coach Les Kiss, assistant coaches Ian Foster and Zane Hilton (Queensland Reds).
Cron hails from a proud rugby family in New Zealand and moved to Australia to pursue his coaching career. He has since held senior coaching positions in Australia and Japan and has led the Force in the Super Rugby Pacific competition since 2023.
Force head physiotherapist Kurt Harrington and team doctor Chris Barr will also work with the AUNZ International XV for the Lions’ fixture in Adelaide.
Hilton, an Assistant Coach with the Queensland Reds, has compiled a unique coaching resume across Italy, Japan, Samoa and Tonga. Hilton joined Kiss’ coaching staff at the Reds in 2024, having previously worked with the Queensland Rugby Union more than two decades prior.
Foster, who was confirmed as an Assistant Coach with the AUNZ Invitational XV in March, is currently coaching Toyota Verblitz in Japan. He led the All Blacks to the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup having previously held down senior playing and coaching roles with the Chiefs.
Cron, Hilton and Foster will report into Kiss, who was announced as AUNZ Invitational XV Head Coach earlier this month. Kiss will assume the Wallabies head coach position from Joe Schmidt in July, 2026 after the completion of his current contract with the Queensland Reds.
Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance Peter Horne said the AUNZ Invitational XV match against the Lions in Adelaide would be an historic and electrifying encounter.
“We are excited to assemble a experienced coaching panel of Australian and New Zealand leaders under Les Kiss for what promises to be a thrilling game between the AUNZ Invitational XV and the Lions,” Horne said.
“This will be the first time a combined Australian and New Zealand has taken the field since 1989 and the strength of this coaching staff is befitting such an occasion.
“For Les, the opportunity to coach against the British and Irish Lions twice on this tour will no doubt prove a unique and beneficial experience and add to his outstanding international coaching resume which has included senior roles with the Springboks and Ireland ahead of his transition to the Wallabies’ Head Coach position next year.
“Ian Foster will no doubt provide a wealth of knowledge and experience to Les and the squad, having served as Attack Coach for the All Blacks during the Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2017 among his many other international accomplishments.
“Les and Ian will be joined by two outstanding leaders from within the Australian High Performance system, Simon Cron and Zane Hilton, who will add tremendous insight and energy to the AUNZ Invitational XV squad for a match against the Lions in Adelaide that will be one of the highlights of the global rugby calendar this year.”
