Defiant Crusaders coach Rob Penny says he’s going nowhere.
Four wins, 10 defeats, 9th on the log. It’s not flash. Missing the top eight, which was nearly impossible to do.
The Crusaders, to put it mildly, have been forced to gorge on humble pie this year.
Rob Penney Stands Firm Amidst Tough Season
Penney is contracted until the end of the 2025 season.
Does he still expect to be coach next year? “Absolutely.” Would he consider stepping aside? “No.”
A season laden with anguish is not yet over.
Penney made it clear he wants to hold his ground.
Asked if had been given assurances from his bosses that his job was safe, he had not heard otherwise.
Yeah, I’m boxing on, the same as always,’ he said. As far as I know, nothing has changed for me, or any of the other staff. We are already looking forward to next year, of course, because you are always projecting and planning.
Penney’s Commitment to Crusaders Future
When Scott Robertson was in charge between 2017 and 2023, the Crusaders won a title each season. It was a remarkable run of success, helped by the talented All Black Richie Mo’unga running the ship at first five-eighth.
A significant injury toll, which has included influential captain Scott Barrett, has done Penney no favours.
Impact of Injuries and Player Discipline on Crusaders
Neither has the players’ poor discipline, brain explosions at the death – as was the case recently when Quinten Strange illegally batted the ball dead and gave away a penalty try against the Brumbies – and the poor performances on the road.
The absence of hooker Codie Taylor for much of the year, due to a non-playing sabbatical, had a big impact.
Yet, it should also be noted, Penney’s roster has a decent amount of experienced players, a number of them senior internationals.
It’s been a difficult homecoming for the former Canterbury loose forward whose most recent job was coaching in Japan. The decline of the Crusaders has been a big talking point around Christchurch.
Penney’s adamant he’s got the support of his players: “I wouldn’t be here, if I felt otherwise.”
Well, Rob, let me tell you something. I am also close to some players and they want you gone. They won’t say it publicly due to repercussions.
Controversial Moments and Pressure on Penney
It’s been a season of tough lessons for under -fire Crusaders coach Rob Penny, and now he’s been hit with another one – always presume the microphone and cameras are still rolling.
Because after a tense three minute interview with a reporter, where Penney was clearly losing his patience, or maybe even temper, the under pressure coach was caught out in an embarrassing press conference blunder.
At the competition of Wednesday’s media session, Penney was removing his microphone when he vented to Crusaders communications and media manager Jack Fletcher.
“He’s a disgrace that c…,” Penny could be heard telling Fletcher.
“Who is he?”
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Fletcher could be heard telling Penney he would talk to him later.
Penney had just faced a grilling from 1News reporter Thomas Mead on matters ranging from how he looked after defeats to should he still be the coach, and did his players want him to remain in charge?
With a 4-10 record for the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions so far this year, the pressure is building on Penney, who is in the first year of a two-year contract.
He has now coached a total of 31 Super Rugby matches with the Crusaders and the Waratahs and has the second-worst percentage of the 71 coaches to have been in charge on that many occasions.
Crusaders’ Decline and the Call for Change
The dismal state of the Crusaders’ season was clear to anyone passing by Rugby Park headquarters on Sunday morning.
Usually, at this time of year, the most successful franchise in Super Rugby history would be gearing up for playoff rugby. Instead, players in various outfits were preparing to board a bus for a season-ending gathering in the countryside.
Chief Executive Colin Mansbridge faced numerous questions during an almost 20-minute interview, with the most pressing ones concerning the future of under-fire head coach Rob Penney.
He refused to guarantee Penney would return for the final season of his two year contract, pointing to the thorough autopsy the franchise was about to undertake.
The board have instructed an external company, Gain Line Analytics, to review a campaign which ended with them missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015, a barely believable failure given the generously bloated playoff format hands spots to eight of 12 teams.
Yes, eight out of twelve teams make up the quarter finals, but not the Crusaders.
Even the Highlanders, Drua, and Rebels were above them.
The Crusaders are a world wide renowned proud club, and this coach has let all supporters of Canterbury rugby very disappointed.
The Crusaders have always prided themselves on honesty, and respect. They have to get this right.
Previous Crusaders teams had a reputation for winning games at the death, not losing them. Their defensive lines used to strike fear into opponents. They used to promote talented youngsters, not haul in veterans at the end of their careers.
Last year the Crusaders won the title. This season? They couldn’t even make the top eight.
Well I don’t need a review from where I sit. Time to go coach. Bon Voyage Rob.
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