Queensland Reds complete Cotter's coaching staff with Blues and Leicester Tigers recruits

The Queensland Reds have completed their coaching overhaul by confirming Peter Hewat and Craig McGrath as the final pieces of Vern Cotter’s staff at Ballymore, both signing two-year deals alongside the head coach and assistant Zane Hilton.

McGrath arrives directly from the Blues, where he served as Cotter’s defence coach during the Auckland franchise’s historic 2024 Super Rugby title — their first in 21 years. Under his watch, the Blues conceded just 231 points across the 14-game regular season, the best defensive record in recent competition history. A former Maori All Black, McGrath has also worked with Hilton at the Rebels and brings additional experience from stints in Japan and Super Rugby.

“One is my relationship with Vern. I’ve worked with him the last three years and I wanted that to continue,” McGrath said. “Vern’s way of doing things is something that can add edge to the Reds. I saw how big his imprint was on the Blues in 2024 when they won their first Super Rugby title in 21 years.”

Hewat, a former Waratahs and London Irish back, joins after two years on the coaching staff at Leicester Tigers. He previously held a Super Rugby coaching role with the Brumbies between 2018 and 2020, and returns to Queensland — where he attended Nudgee College — having also worked with several current Reds players at the U18 representative level.

“From afar, I’ve admired what Les Kiss and his coaching team have built,” Hewat said. “The Reds play an attacking style, a style I’m familiar with and like to coach. I’m looking forward to adding to what’s in place and combining it with the edge Vern is known for.”

Reds General Manager of High Performance Sam Cordingley said the club had deliberately targeted experience across the group. “We have targeted a highly experienced coaching group capable of building on the foundations established over recent years. We believe this coaching team gives us a strong platform to compete for championships.”

The full coaching ticket will assemble ahead of September’s Super Rugby AUS competition.