Reds re-sign assistant coach Zane Hilton

Zane Hilton has been re-signed by the Queensland Reds for two years in a strong show of coaching continuity.

Hilton’s productive three seasons as set piece mentor, beside Reds Head Coach Les Kiss, will now flow into an assistant coach role with incoming Head Coach Vern Cotter for 2027-28.

Hilton’s work is highly valued and the results have been concrete with the strong scrum, lineout and rolling maul that feature in the Reds’ make-up.

The well-travelled Hilton, 44, brings all the experience and expertise he has harnessed across two decades as a coach.

His resume includes being an assistant coach with Tonga at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the dual role as High-Performance General Manager/assistant coach for Samoa in the lead-up to the 2019 edition.

He had an initial skills coaching stint with Benetton Rugby in Italy in 2006, nine seasons with Japanese clubs and three years as forwards coach with the Melbourne Rebels (2014-17) in Super Rugby.

Throughout, he has remained a proud Queenslander.

“It’s pretty simple. Every day I say I’m in my dream job coaching the players I do. I’m lucky enough to be watching many of them grow and grow each year having first seen them in the school and club system in Queensland," Hilton said.

“To continue to be a part of that is not something I take lightly. This job with Queensland is an honour, not a stepping stone.”

Guiding his club side Brothers to the 2009 Hospital Cup premiership will always be one of his coaching highs after honing off-field skills as the Queensland Rugby Union's Regional College Manager (2003-06).

“Guys like (Reds Head of Talent Management) Paul Carozza and (Buildcorp Reds Academy Head Coach) Dale Roberson do an amazing job in identifying, developing and retaining talent in the Academy system,” Hilton said.

“One of the reasons I want to be in Queensland rugby is to see our rugby developed so we are a sustainable force over 10-15 years. Queensland is one of the great rugby nurseries so it is an exciting space to work in.”

Hilton said working in a coaching team with Kiss and fellow assistants Brad Davis, Jonathan Fisher and Roberson continues to be a cutting-edge environment.

“You are forever learning and growing as individuals just as the team continues to evolve,” Hilton said.

“There’s no doubt the Reds have matured under Les. Apart from the amount of rugby knowledge he brings, there is no doubt he has a great ability to align a whole organisation from the change room up with how good of a person he is.

“One of his phrases is ‘you be you’ and you do enjoy the responsibility to get your area nailed.”

Queensland Reds General Manager-High Performance Sam Cordingley said Hilton's expertise is highly valued.

"We are really pleased to have Zane re-commit to the Reds. His experience as a coach is an obvious asset but what sets him apart is his passion for all things Queensland rugby," Cordingley said.

Hilton said everything there is to play for at the Reds this season is his focus.

Hilton will be part of the Reds group embarking today on the trip to Super Round to play an Anzac Day match against the Blues in a packed house at a new stadium in Christchurch on Saturday.

“Every time you represent Queensland, there is excitement. The big occasions, these games, are ones you want to work in. The significance of Anzac Day just adds to it,” Hilton said.