Former All Black boss Hansen gets Crusaders head coach job
NEWS: The Crusaders have officially unveiled their new head coach.
On Wednesday, the franchise revealed that they have hired former All Black assistant coach Scott Hansen as their new head coach for 2027, replacing Rob Penney.
Penney will have led the Crusaders for three seasons, winning the Super Rugby title in 2025 – the team’s eighth title in nine years.
He will continue coaching the Crusaders through the 2026 Super Rugby play-offs before departing the team.
“It’s been an honour of a lifetime to be the head coach of the Crusaders, but the time is right for me to step away from the role after three seasons,” Penney said.
Hansen is a former Crusaders player, featuring in their first season in 1996, and was assistant coach from 2020 to 2023.
He then stepped up to the All Blacks in 2024, alongside former Crusaders coach Scott Robertson.
When Robertson was fired by the All Blacks in January, Hansen was soon to follow as new coach Dave Rennie selected his own coaching staff.
Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge said Hansen would set “high standards” and praised his “deep understanding of the game”.
Hansen said he was thankful for the opportunity.
“I was born in Christchurch, raised in Lyttelton, and I’m Crusader number 25,” Hansen said.
“This is my home and I’m very proud to be given the opportunity to serve the Crusaders and the people of this region again.”