The Western Force has lured one of the world’s best up and coming coaches, Simon Cron, back to Australia from Japan to lead the team for at least the next two seasons.
Cron is presently Head Coach at Japanese club Toyota Verblitz where he was recruited and mentored by All Blacks coaching legend Steve Hansen, who is the club’s Director of Rugby. Cron replaces Tim Sampson whose contract expires at the end of this season.
Cron has an impressive coaching record that extends through Australia and overseas. Apart from working in Japan, he has been Head Coach of the Australian under-20 team, Assistant Coach at the Waratahs, Head Coach of the Sydney Rays in the NRC and Premiership winning Head Coach of Northern Suburbs in the Shute Shield.
Western Force owner Dr Andrew Forrest said Cron has an outstanding reputation in the game for developing and attracting player talent.
"Simon is one of world rugby's most talented young coaches whose philosophy is to make better rugby players, both on and off the field,” Dr Forrest said.
"It is his dedication to values, player wellbeing and growth, as well as his respected coaching ability, that we are really looking forward to at the Force.
“Simon's leadership and technical knowledge of the game will be welcomed by the player and coaching team at the Force, as it builds to be a true powerhouse in world rugby.
"A huge thanks to Tim Sampson for his great and tireless role in bringing the Force back into Super Rugby. He has been a true champion of the club. Nicola and I wish him all the best in the next chapter of his rugby coaching career."
Sampson said that since joining the Western Force, he has seen significant growth throughout the organisation and is comfortable knowing the club is trending in the right direction and that it will be handed over in great shape.
“The Western Force’s success and resurgence back into Super Rugby is testimony to the leadership and support from Andrew and Nicola Forrest, along with fellow staff and players who have contributed in many ways since my arrival at the commencement of the 2018 season,” Sampson said.
“My focus hasn’t changed. We are determined to achieve success and perform well for the remainder of the season.”
Cron said he was attracted to and excited by the club’s vision, its drive to create something unique in world rugby and Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s passion and support for the Force.
“Andrew Forrest took time out of his extremely busy schedule to talk with me around his family's love of the Western Force and how it is a key part of the Western Australian sporting community,” Cron said.
“We had an opportunity to talk about what is important to each of us and it was clear he lives by the values he has installed into his businesses.
“I see the Western Force as a club which has fought through adversity and come out the other side because of a genuine love of rugby within the organisation and its amazing supporters, the Sea of Blue.
“I look forward to working with the players, coaches and staff to develop a team that will inspire the next generation of Western Australian boys and girls to want to play rugby, as well as help those currently playing to grow within our game. I also look forward to helping shape a team the Sea of Blue and all of Western Australia can be mighty proud of.”
Western Force CEO Tony Lewis said Cron’s recruitment is an important step in building the Force into the leading club in Super Rugby Pacific.
“Simon’s ambition is to lead the Western Force to success,” Lewis said. “He will be a great addition to the club as we continue to strive to be a world class organisation. He brings outstanding leadership and will bring the best out of the coaches and players.
“Both the club and Simon are hungry for results and we must continue to push the limits.
“To do this he will attract, retain, develop and produce the next generation of Wallabies players through the Force High Performance system and lead the development of the best Australian coaches within the Western Force.
"Tim Sampson is a class act. The Force has great respect for him and his incredible efforts over the last five years as he has guided the club through Global Rapid Rugby and the successful return to Super Rugby."
Cron will move with his family to Perth from Japan in September to start working with the playing and coaching team.
