All Blacks forwards coach Mike Cron has confirmed he will be stepping away from the national side at the end of the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year.
The 64-year-old is well-known among the rugby community and has been involved with the All Blacks since 2004.
Cron is looking forward to the rest of the year with the team, where he will be involved in his fifth Rugby World Cup.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky and had a wonderful career coaching at international level and I’m really looking forward to this last year with the team. It will be my fifth Rugby World Cup this year (four with the All Blacks and one with Wales) so is the right time to step down from the international game,” he said.
Cron has been coaching for 37 years and although he plans to move aside from the international game, he still hopes to continue helping younger talent develop.
“That’s my other passion. As well as coaching younger players and helping them hopefully reach their potential, I’m also keen to help out the young coaches of the future, so looking forward to doing that,” he added.
His time with the All Blacks has included back-to-back World Cup successes in 2011 and 2015, while he could make it a hat-trick if they are to win again this year.
New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew paid tribute to Cron and is looking forward to continuing to work alongside him in a different capacity.
“Crono is a national treasure and thousands of players, from school, club, provincial, Super Rugby, the Black Ferns and of course the All Blacks, have been coached and mentored by one of the best rugby coaches in the world. He has a real desire to mentor young players and coaches and really cares about their development, so we’re delighted he will continue to contribute to the future of the game in New Zealand,” he said.
Meanwhile, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, who is also set to depart the All Blacks set-up at the end of the tournament, spoke of how fortunate he has been to work with Cron.
“Sometimes in life you’re lucky to come across a real influencer in your career. For me, Mike Cron is one of those people. He’s one of those guys I’ve leaned on from day one of my coaching career. Initially, that was around scrummaging, with Canterbury and the Crusaders, and then with Wales. Then I suggested to (former All Blacks Head Coach) Graham Henry that we bring him into the All Blacks,” he said.
Hansen noted how Cron can help anyone and is delighted that he will continue to work with New Zealand Rugby.
“His ability to teach anyone – younger, older, male or female – is world renowned and the greatest gift that Crono has is his ability to always keep learning and to keep giving. I’ve seen him coach club, provincial, Super and international rugby, plus even a stint overseas, all in the one year. As ‘Tewy’ said, he is a national treasure. He and his family must be immensely proud of everything he has achieved throughout his career, not only with the All Blacks, but with all the teams and individuals he has coached. It’s great that New Zealand Rugby hasn’t lost him completely,” he added.
Hansen concluded by thanking Cron for all his work with the national side.
“On behalf of the All Blacks family, we’d like to thank him for his many years of service. I’d also like to congratulate him and April on making their decision and wish them all the very best for the future,” he finished.
As mentioned above Cron will be hoping to add a third successive Rugby World Cup to the All Blacks cabinet come the end of the year and the All Blacks will want to ensure he goes out on a high too.
