‘Big hole’ - NSW Waratahs react to departure of assistant coach Simon Cron
With Simon Cron linking up with Steve Hansen in Japan, Chris Whitaker has emerged as favourite to be the NSW Waratahs’ next Super Rugby coach, but the 44-year-old insists he’s only focused on the now.
Former Wallabies halfback Chris Whitaker is only focused on the now after emerging as favourite to be the NSW Waratahs’ next Super Rugby coach.
Daryl Gibson’s assistant coach and fellow Kiwi Simon Cron has confirmed he will link up with 2015 World Cup-winning All Blacks mentor Steve Hansen at Japanese Top League club Toyota Verblitz in 2020.
A former Australian under-20s coach who guided Norths to a Sydney Shute Shield title in 2016, Cron had been earmarked as Gibson’s successor in 2021.
But with Cron deciding to move on, Whittaker, having been lured back from France, is now the most likely replacement for Gibson when the former All Black finishes up at the end of next year.
“I haven’t thought about it,” Whitaker said from South Africa ahead of the Waratahs’ weekend stoush with the Blues in Pretoria.
“I’ll try and do the best job I can at the moment.
“You’re happy for him but, at the same time, he’s going to leave a big hole here.
“I’m sure it’s a hole that the guys above me will start searching for a replacement.”
“He’s going to enjoy coaching in a different environment, a different experience with different players he hasn’t coached before.
“It’s a professional game, there’s not a great deal of security for coaches in Australia, compared to coaches around the world.”
Wallabies prop Tom Robertson hailed Cron’s contribution to the Waratahs since moving to Sydney before the 2018 Super Rugby season.
“It’s 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,” Robertson said.
“In 2017, we had a poor year as a forward pack.
“And in 2018, we ended up coming third in the competition.
“That speaks for itself and we’re really happy for ‘Cronno’ to secure his future wherever he goes next. He’s had a massive impact on us.”
The news of Cron’s departure is sure to be felt by Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore.
He wanted to see Cron remain under Gibson in 2020.
“We would like him to stay with Daryl next year, he’s got areas we would like to see improvements and hopefully put himself in a strong position to lead the Waratahs and then Australia,” Hore said last week.
“There’s no promises in and around being head coach, there are other names there as well.
“Simon has got to show us he is prepared to grow in some areas.”
The Waratahs enter the weekend in 10th position on the ladder, and second in the Australian conference, and needing to beat the Bulls to remain in control of their finals fate.
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