Super Rugby title earns Penney another go as Crusaders coach
NEWS: The Crusaders have rewarded Rob Penney with another year as coach after he led them to the Super Rugby Pacific title in his second season in charge.
The 61-year-old New Zealander endured a miserable first season as coach of the Christchurch team in 2024, when the now 15-time Super Rugby champions missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade with a 4-10 record.
Penney will return for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific title defence after his maiden title with the franchise last season.
With a couple of key players back on the park after injury, however, Penney restored normal service in 2025 as the Crusaders finished second in the regular season standings before edging the Chiefs 16-12 in the playoff final.
“I’m excited and humbled to be allowed to work with this great organisation and team again,” says Penney.
“This group is on the cusp of doing something pretty special again, and I’m rapt to be a part of it.”
The end-of-season review process has now been completed. Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge says there was a constant theme emerging about Penney.
“Rob uses the term love a lot – he loves this place, loves the environment and loves the players – he comes from this real place of deep care, and I think that’s felt by all of the players,” says Mansbridge.
“The players talked about how much he cared for them and how he genuinely tried to do the best that he could for them.”
Now entering his third season with the franchise, the 61-year-old says it’s hard to sum up the care he has for the Crusaders.
“It’s deeply ingrained in me. I spent a long time here as a player before the Crusaders existed, and I just love the red and black.” Says Penney.
“The people here make it easy to care because they care – everyone is totally invested and then the players turn up and top it off with their commitment and dedication, it’s an honour to play a little part in it.”
NEW IN THE APP: Official World Rugby Rankings hub! Compare team rankings side-by-side, with data going back 20 years.
Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
