QUEENSLAND REDS
Incoming Head CoachVern Cotter
Vern Cotter takes charge of the Queensland Reds for 2027, arriving from the Blues, whom he led to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific title.
Match-by-match records for this tenure are still being collected. The profile will fill in automatically as results sync.
Records are computed from the WeTalkRugby match database and cover matches we hold data for within this tenure. They are not an official all-time record.
Coaching career
- 2014-2017 Scotland Head Coach
- 2020-2023 Fiji Head Coach
- 2027- Queensland Reds Head Coach
Honours
- 2024 Super Rugby Pacific (Blues)
- 2010 Top 14 (Clermont)
- 2007 European Challenge Cup (Clermont)
- 2006 Super 14 (Crusaders, forwards coach)
- 2005 Super 12 (Crusaders, forwards coach)
- 2004 Ranfurly Shield (Bay of Plenty)
About Vern Cotter
Vern Cotter becomes head coach of the Queensland Reds for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, announced in January 2026 on a two-year deal. He has not yet coached a match for the club — he was head coach of the Blues throughout 2026, and the Reds were led through that season by Les Kiss, who departed for the Wallabies job.
Born in January 1962, he was a back-row forward for Counties Manukau and Bay of Plenty across roughly a decade, then played club rugby in France. He was never capped.
A long and well-travelled career
He won the Ranfurly Shield with Bay of Plenty for the first time in that union’s history in 2004, then was Crusaders forwards coach for two Super titles. His eight years at Clermont brought the club’s first ever Top 14 title in 2010 and a European Challenge Cup. He coached Scotland from 2014 to 2017, becoming the professional era’s most successful Scotland coach, then Montpellier and Fiji, before taking the Blues in 2023 and winning Super Rugby Pacific in 2024.
Style
Hard-edged, forwards-first and set-piece oriented, built on physicality, discipline and standards rather than expansive attacking systems. The nickname — Stern Vern — is well earned.
Frequently asked
Who is the incoming head coach of Queensland Reds?
Vern Cotter is the incoming head coach of Queensland Reds.
When did Vern Cotter take charge?
Vern Cotter took over at Queensland Reds in January 2027.
What nationality is Vern Cotter?
Vern Cotter is New Zealander.
How old is Vern Cotter?
Vern Cotter is 64 years old.
What has Vern Cotter won?
Honours include: Super Rugby Pacific (Blues) (2024), Top 14 (Clermont) (2010), European Challenge Cup (Clermont) (2007), Super 14 (Crusaders, forwards coach) (2006), Super 12 (Crusaders, forwards coach) (2005).
