Written by Reds Media Unit on Oct 01, 2024 02:48 PM, courtesy of qld.rugby Source article.
Simon Craig will return to the Queensland Reds as an assistant coach
The 2025 coaching staff for the Queensland Reds women’s team has been finalised with two experienced assistants to join head coach Andrew Fraser.
Simon Craig (set piece and contact) and Damon Virtue (backs), both senior coaches with grand final experience with the Reds at Super Rugby Women’s level, have signed on.
Having the coaching structure settled in September is a major plus to steer the women’s program into an optimum pre-season.
“It’s exciting to have two coaches of such experience come on board and know that they see the huge potential for the Reds in 2025,” Fraser said.
Craig was at the helm as head coach of the women’s team in 2023 when the Reds made the final in Townsville and made a return as forwards coach for the build-up to July’s tour game in Tonga..
He will continue to act as a head coach in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup where his club Easts is supportive of his double life.
“I’m looking forward to helping the girls get back towards where they should be,” Craig said.
“I know all three coaches feel the same way.”
A new-look squad of Reds and development players will enjoy the benefit of a match on October 12 at Ballymore Stadium.
The Reds Development XV will tackle New Zealand Universities in a timely clash that will introduce players and coaching ideas in match mode.
Virtue will head the coaching of the Reds Development XV. His expertise was with the backs when an assistant coach with the women’s team in 2019-20 after being head coach of Sunnybank in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup in 2017-18.
Wife Moana will be in an assistant role alongside former Wallaroos hooker Averyl Mitchell.
For Moana Virtue, it is a step back into top-level coaching after finishing five seasons in charge of the Reds women’s team in 2020.
At 29, Mitchell is a newer face to coaching but has taken to it with relish at the University of Queensland.
Fraser and Craig will assess the players from the sidelines.
“Having a match at this time of the season to look at our player stocks is ideal,” Fraser said.
“The trans-Tasman rivalry will be there for sure. It’s great to see women’s teams undertaking tours and we welcome the NZ Unis team on their first for a wonderful afternoon of rugby.”
