Mike Cron: Rugby's Wisest Coach Shares His Lifetime of Wisdom

Coaching Culture with Ben Herring

When a coach with 42 years of experience and three World Cup titles speaks, the rugby world listens. Mike Cron, forwards coach for the Wallabies and veteran of 217 All Blacks matches, opens up about the coaching philosophy that's made him a legend in the sport.
What makes a great rugby culture? According to Cron, it starts with having "an aim or goal that's higher than an individual" and creating a safe learning environment where players can take risks without fear. The traditional dynamic of coach-as-dictator is outdated – today's effective coaching involves a "very thin line" between coach and player, sometimes even flipping to player-led sessions.
Cron's approach to feedback is revolutionary yet simple: ask questions rather than make statements. "If 10 is your best game and 1 is your worst, where would you rate yesterday's performance?" When players self-assess, they become invested in their improvement. This honest conversation style creates psychological safety where athletes willingly acknowledge mistakes rather than hide them.
The master coach shares practical wisdom about using visual aids, storytelling, and technology to enhance learning. From showing players sculptures that represent proper mall formation to filming technique in real-time, these approaches make abstract concepts concrete. His time management philosophy is equally insightful – prioritize key learning objectives over rigid schedules, because "you can coach it, not just train it."
Perhaps Cron's most powerful insight comes from his favorite Benjamin Franklin quote: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." By involving players in their development journey rather than dictating it, coaches create deeper learning and lasting improvement.
Ready to transform your coaching approach? Listen now to hear wisdom from rugby's professor of coaching that will change how you think about player development, team culture, and the beautiful game itself.

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Chapters

1. Honesty in Coaching Philosophy (00:00:00)

2. Culture and Building High-Performance Teams (00:04:05)

3. Coaching Amateur Rugby as Vital Apprenticeship (00:08:32)

4. Making Training Appealing and Meaningful (00:13:29)

5. Honest Conversations and Player Development (00:20:26)

6. Using Visuals and Storytelling in Coaching (00:29:28)

7. Coaching vs Training: Managing Time Effectively (00:39:10)

8. Coach's Perspective and Final Takeaways (00:53:43)