Cross-code collaboration is set to headline the 2026 Youth Rugby Coaches Forum as NRL Premiership winner Michael Maguire and scrum coach Mike Cron impart their wisdom to the next generation of coaches.
The Forum will be held on January 23 & 24 at Nudgee College in Brisbane, returning to its original two-day format.
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Maguire is coming off leading the Brisbane Broncos to their first NRL title since 2006 after winning the grand final earlier in the month.
It adds another achievement to a growing resume that included a premiership with South Sydney Rabbitohs along with Origin victories as NSW coach.
He is joined by legendary scrum doctor Mike Cron, who recently departed as Wallabies scrum coach.
Cron was one of the first members to join Joe Schmidt’s coaching team after the former Irish boss took over at the start of 2024.
The Kiwi guru departed his post at the end of the Rugby Championship, signing a deal with Rugby Australia to assist the pathways heading forward.
It’s not the first time the program has looked to bring together legendary coaches from both codes, with the likes of Wayne Bennett and Dave Rennie signed up for past events.
The duo are joined by Queensland Reds assistant Zane Hilton, who was a part of the AUNZ squad that took on the British & Irish Lions.
Hilton has been earmarked as a potential replacement for current Reds head coach Les Kiss, who will join the Wallabies in the middle of next year.
Further coaches included RA National HP Coach Development Manager Matt Wilkie along with Rugby Bricks founder Peter Breen and Dr Adam Gorman, Associate Professor of Skill Acquisition at QUT.
The program is heading into its fifth year, designed to bring together coaches from across schools and clubs to develop knowledge, share ideas and build stronger Rugby connections.
