July 3, 2026 • 12 mins
With the conclusion of the Super Rugby season comes the end of Rob Penney’s tenure with the Crusaders.
His three years coaching the team were something of a rollercoaster – with a horror first season at the helm followed by a title win, and this year making it only to the semi-finals.
Penney told Piney that for him, the greatest privilege is being a local lad and getting the opportunity to be involved with a great organisation.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks edb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Rugby that come with greater expectation than leading the Crusaders.
Rob Penny took on the role at the end of
one of the club's great errors and endured a difficult
first season when the Crusaders missed the playoffs, but then
responded in the best possible way, guiding the side back
to the Super Rugby title in twenty twenty five. No Holder.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
And Prestons and the Crusaders have done it. The redemption
arcistic please the Rolpenni side. The Crusaders returned to talker,
But what the final sixteen points to twelve?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah? One tonight? That was in christ Yet a couple
of years ago. After three seasons in charge, he stepped aside.
Scott Hanson sets to takeover, bringing to an end of
fascinating chapter in one of New Zealand rugby's most successful organizations.
Rob Penny is here with us. Great to see you mate.
How now you've had a bit of time to think
about it, how do you reflect on your on your
time as Crusader's head coach.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
I've often when I've been asked that question. The greatest
privilege there is for me being a local lad and
getting the opportunity to be involved with that great organization
and the young men and the yeah, the whole the
whole group. Really, it was just a really a real privilege.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
When you came in, did you did you understand how
challenging it was going to be to follow Raiser into
that role.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Oh yeah, seven in a row, probably unrepeatable. And you know,
the Raiser and the coaching group and the and the
players that they had deserve an incredible amount of credit,
like it's such a such an achievement. Uh yeah. Following
(02:01):
on from that, you know, we had you know what
really I guess made it most challenging of war was
a couple of critical injuries, particularly to Fergus Burke who
broke down and then back into the NPC, so it
wasn't available to us, and we really scrambled for a ten.
Taha Kamura was still cutting his teeth, but I guess
(02:26):
the experience for Taha, he just needed more time. Credit.
Fergus Burke came back in and we won the last three,
nearly nearly got our noses over the line to get
a playoff, but it wasn't to be, but the experience
of twenty four was crucial for a number of reasons.
You know, we had to do a lot of work
(02:47):
around our second tier leadership. They got exposed as much
as anything, and organizationally did a fantastic job of really,
I guess, sitting in place the foundations for those young
leaders to go on and win carry the team through
in twenty five and that group funderment. He went on
and won the NPC that year as well, which Canterbury
(03:09):
hadn't done that since twenty seventeen. And I just think
that the two correlate really, really nicely in terms of
the development of that group and from twenty four to
twenty five to win and then win the NBC, because
that's not easy to do.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
I remember speaking to you, I can't remember whether it
was after twenty four or sometime in twenty five, and
I asked you whether you ever lost faith that you
were the right man for the job, and you were
unequivocal in saying, no, I'm the right man for the
job and I've got the right system around me. Were
there challenging times though in twenty twenty four When you look.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Back now, particularly around some media moments Thomas Meade interview
that'll go down and in for me, unfortunately, that wasn't pleasant.
Cour I like, I guess the couple of things that
were really important to me was the us that the
(04:08):
CEO and Colin Ainsbridge Angus Gardner as the general manager
had and the feedback and support I was getting internally
from the players just so critical. If it had been
a whisper that I was the problem, I was never
going to be staying and that wasn't the case, and
(04:29):
I was just you know, it was just, I guess
a bit of a barrage on social media and in
the in the media itself, which was unfortunate. And I
just hope no one has to go through that because
it's not pleasant. And you know, the interesting thing around,
you know, the whole aspect of people being passionate about
(04:49):
sport and wanting to have their view and is I
guess when the blow torch is on an individual like
it was on me for that period of time, you know,
there's lots of chats around mental wellbeing and dealing with
anxiety and all that sort of stuff seems to take
back seat. No one cares, they want to brutalize the individual.
(05:09):
I'm just really fortunate that I'm highly optimistic, and I
guess I've been around the traps a bit. I've got
a bit of gray here and a few wrinkles, so
I you know, I just turned a collar up and
got on with my job and was able to deal
with it. But a young coach just would have been
that would have been horrific and it would have been
so unfair. And I just hope there's a wee bit
(05:31):
of learning there somewhere for people around the traps twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Then where does that sit in your coaching career?
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Yeah, well it's got it. It's right up there. You know.
I've been fortunate enough to coach some semi finals in
the Heineken Cup as it was back with Munster against
two French teams. You know, that was a great experience.
Thank you one they're ndfully shield four times and lost
(06:01):
at five roller coaster that Shield. Yeah, been involved in
five NBCs so victories the but it was very very special,
special for the group because they just bonded so well.
You know, we got a lot of things right. The
coaching group were tremendous. James marsh Marshall leading our attack.
(06:25):
Young young attack coach deserves a lot of credit the
way you know, he puts that team together and we
all need our best players available at the important times
of the year, and that that cost us the shear
injuries again. But James got the timing right, got the
got the attack working really well, and Matt tied as
a young defense coach and Gez had that group humming.
(06:49):
I think in the semi final against the Blues we
had six minutes on defense something like twice. We got
nearly three hundred tackles in a game, and that that's
sort of unheard of. But that was the resilience piece
that the boys really dug deep for each other and
it was just a wonderful experience.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yea predate privilege. What about this new house yours, this
new stadium, I know again, I'll heard you talk about
it in glowing terms when it finally got stood up
super round and then the home games you had here.
What was it like playing at one New Zealand stadium. Yeah, well,
it's a special occasion. There was a lot of chatter
(07:26):
around this is going to be an equalizing factor for opposition.
We thought there was a lot of chat about and
the boys, you know, our group coming into the Waratahs
for the Super Round, and just a lot of credit
to Caroline Harvey Tear and her group at venuez Ata
Tahi to get us set up so well into that
(07:47):
new stadium. And we were very nervous about what it
was going to be like to play under it for
the first time, and we've done a lot of research,
but really you can only experience it in real life
because you know, there's only a few stadiums around the
world with the roof on them, and so we'd prepared
(08:07):
really well.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
First half it was got a bit messy, but I
think we came at halftime going if we just relaxed,
now settle into our work, we're going to be able
to play on this and it's going to be really exciting.
And that first second half we unleashed and it was
we've got a talented group and then you know the
desire of the men to not be beaten at home
(08:30):
and make sure they leave a legacy for the next
year's group to carry on the great traditions, and then
getting a home quarter against the Blues again. The Crusaders
have never lost a home playoff game, so the pressure
went on again and did the job there. And you know,
if we look at the type of game that the
(08:53):
lads were able to play under the roof, all the
things that you want to see, movement, high intensity, passion,
the crowds right there with you, and we were blessed.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
You know.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
The public just kept coming and kept coming, kept coming,
and the boys fed off it. And we're so as
I said, we're so privileged to plan it, so privileged
to have great community behind us, just beaming and red
and black, and it's going to go black this weekend,
which is so lovely certainly.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Well, how do you think the Crusaders are placed heading
into twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
I think they've got a great coaching. I've already mentioned
two of them, and Dan Perrin and Ryan Croddy now
is forging his way, Brad Moore. There's a lot of
experience there under the helm would helmship of Scotti Henson,
who's vastly experienced, knows the organization intimately. So I think
they're in really good shape. We've got a little bit
of I guess Thinness and the roster around the midfield.
(09:50):
We've had some fantastic players there and now move on. Obviously,
our skipper David Harville can't speak hold enough of him
and his contribution to the group, but he leaves it
in good Feeddle. There's a couple of really exciting young
lads coming through in that area, and all it means
is the emphasis will have to probably just go off
(10:12):
the midfield a little bit while you know, the outsides
and the forwards take on a more a more dynamic role,
as as some of those younger men coming to, you know,
come on stream.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
And what about for you, Rob, what is what is
on the agenda for you? Now?
Speaker 4 (10:32):
A watch a bit of cricket. I've got a couple
of lads out of builders and I've been on the
job site for the last couple of weeks, which has
been really refreshing. I'm just the dog body, but that's
all right, you know, And and I look, I love
(10:56):
rugby passionately, and you know, I'm not seeking anything anymore.
You know, I'll get to the age where there's a
lot of exciting young coaches that are passionate and have
the ability to push on. I don't want to be
a handbrake for them, but if there's an opportunity to support,
you know, to carry on supporting someone that might need
(11:17):
a hand on. Yeah, I'll be there and yeah, we'll
just see where it leeds. I've got a very open mind.
But I'm also you know, I've been doing it for
a long time and a freshen up will be equally
as exciting, brilliant.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Well, I'm glad to know that we're not losing you
from the game altogether. Just to finish and do you
reckon the All Blacks will go tonight really good.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
I'm excited about the group they've got. You know, one
guy that hasn't been spoken about a lot that because
he's got an injury as least to Finuku and how
he he got our player of the year and he
dominated the season for us in that hybridy role and
it would have been beautiful to see him in the MAX.
(11:58):
But he's not there at the moment. But I think
sounds like there's a really good buzz inside the group
and they're excited to be here and just a wonderful
experience to see the all Black jersey run out under
the roof and just you know, be able to watch
it from afar with the you know the deep design
(12:19):
in New Zealand rugby that I have.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Love it, Rob, love it. Jet. It's good to see
you mate. You looking well. It must be the building
site and being told what to do by your boys.
I'm not sure I could handle that, but corats on
a great tenure with a crusader's mate and in a
show of real resilience in that role. And thank you
for always picking up the phone to me as well.
You've always been willing to chat and that is greatly appreciated.
Great to see you, mate, Yeah, thank you. It's always
(12:41):
been a pleasure. Rob Penny joining us at Robbie's Lichfield
on Weekend Sport.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live
to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks edb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Rugby that come with greater expectation than leading the Crusaders.
Rob Penny took on the role at the end of
one of the club's great errors and endured a difficult
first season when the Crusaders missed the playoffs, but then
responded in the best possible way, guiding the side back
to the Super Rugby title in twenty twenty five. No Holder.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
And Prestons and the Crusaders have done it. The redemption
arcistic please the Rolpenni side. The Crusaders returned to talker,
But what the final sixteen points to twelve?
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah? One tonight? That was in christ Yet a couple
of years ago. After three seasons in charge, he stepped aside.
Scott Hanson sets to takeover, bringing to an end of
fascinating chapter in one of New Zealand rugby's most successful organizations.
Rob Penny is here with us. Great to see you mate.
How now you've had a bit of time to think
about it, how do you reflect on your on your
time as Crusader's head coach.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
I've often when I've been asked that question. The greatest
privilege there is for me being a local lad and
getting the opportunity to be involved with that great organization
and the young men and the yeah, the whole the
whole group. Really, it was just a really a real privilege.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
When you came in, did you did you understand how
challenging it was going to be to follow Raiser into
that role.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Oh yeah, seven in a row, probably unrepeatable. And you know,
the Raiser and the coaching group and the and the
players that they had deserve an incredible amount of credit,
like it's such a such an achievement. Uh yeah. Following
(02:01):
on from that, you know, we had you know what
really I guess made it most challenging of war was
a couple of critical injuries, particularly to Fergus Burke who
broke down and then back into the NPC, so it
wasn't available to us, and we really scrambled for a ten.
Taha Kamura was still cutting his teeth, but I guess
(02:26):
the experience for Taha, he just needed more time. Credit.
Fergus Burke came back in and we won the last three,
nearly nearly got our noses over the line to get
a playoff, but it wasn't to be, but the experience
of twenty four was crucial for a number of reasons.
You know, we had to do a lot of work
(02:47):
around our second tier leadership. They got exposed as much
as anything, and organizationally did a fantastic job of really,
I guess, sitting in place the foundations for those young
leaders to go on and win carry the team through
in twenty five and that group funderment. He went on
and won the NPC that year as well, which Canterbury
(03:09):
hadn't done that since twenty seventeen. And I just think
that the two correlate really, really nicely in terms of
the development of that group and from twenty four to
twenty five to win and then win the NBC, because
that's not easy to do.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
I remember speaking to you, I can't remember whether it
was after twenty four or sometime in twenty five, and
I asked you whether you ever lost faith that you
were the right man for the job, and you were
unequivocal in saying, no, I'm the right man for the
job and I've got the right system around me. Were
there challenging times though in twenty twenty four When you look.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Back now, particularly around some media moments Thomas Meade interview
that'll go down and in for me, unfortunately, that wasn't pleasant.
Cour I like, I guess the couple of things that
were really important to me was the us that the
(04:08):
CEO and Colin Ainsbridge Angus Gardner as the general manager
had and the feedback and support I was getting internally
from the players just so critical. If it had been
a whisper that I was the problem, I was never
going to be staying and that wasn't the case, and
(04:29):
I was just you know, it was just, I guess
a bit of a barrage on social media and in
the in the media itself, which was unfortunate. And I
just hope no one has to go through that because
it's not pleasant. And you know, the interesting thing around,
you know, the whole aspect of people being passionate about
(04:49):
sport and wanting to have their view and is I
guess when the blow torch is on an individual like
it was on me for that period of time, you know,
there's lots of chats around mental wellbeing and dealing with
anxiety and all that sort of stuff seems to take
back seat. No one cares, they want to brutalize the individual.
(05:09):
I'm just really fortunate that I'm highly optimistic, and I
guess I've been around the traps a bit. I've got
a bit of gray here and a few wrinkles, so
I you know, I just turned a collar up and
got on with my job and was able to deal
with it. But a young coach just would have been
that would have been horrific and it would have been
so unfair. And I just hope there's a wee bit
(05:31):
of learning there somewhere for people around the traps twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Then where does that sit in your coaching career?
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Yeah, well it's got it. It's right up there. You know.
I've been fortunate enough to coach some semi finals in
the Heineken Cup as it was back with Munster against
two French teams. You know, that was a great experience.
Thank you one they're ndfully shield four times and lost
(06:01):
at five roller coaster that Shield. Yeah, been involved in
five NBCs so victories the but it was very very special,
special for the group because they just bonded so well.
You know, we got a lot of things right. The
coaching group were tremendous. James marsh Marshall leading our attack.
(06:25):
Young young attack coach deserves a lot of credit the
way you know, he puts that team together and we
all need our best players available at the important times
of the year, and that that cost us the shear
injuries again. But James got the timing right, got the
got the attack working really well, and Matt tied as
a young defense coach and Gez had that group humming.
(06:49):
I think in the semi final against the Blues we
had six minutes on defense something like twice. We got
nearly three hundred tackles in a game, and that that's
sort of unheard of. But that was the resilience piece
that the boys really dug deep for each other and
it was just a wonderful experience.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yea predate privilege. What about this new house yours, this
new stadium, I know again, I'll heard you talk about
it in glowing terms when it finally got stood up
super round and then the home games you had here.
What was it like playing at one New Zealand stadium. Yeah, well,
it's a special occasion. There was a lot of chatter
(07:26):
around this is going to be an equalizing factor for opposition.
We thought there was a lot of chat about and
the boys, you know, our group coming into the Waratahs
for the Super Round, and just a lot of credit
to Caroline Harvey Tear and her group at venuez Ata
Tahi to get us set up so well into that
(07:47):
new stadium. And we were very nervous about what it
was going to be like to play under it for
the first time, and we've done a lot of research,
but really you can only experience it in real life
because you know, there's only a few stadiums around the
world with the roof on them, and so we'd prepared
(08:07):
really well.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
First half it was got a bit messy, but I
think we came at halftime going if we just relaxed,
now settle into our work, we're going to be able
to play on this and it's going to be really exciting.
And that first second half we unleashed and it was
we've got a talented group and then you know the
desire of the men to not be beaten at home
(08:30):
and make sure they leave a legacy for the next
year's group to carry on the great traditions, and then
getting a home quarter against the Blues again. The Crusaders
have never lost a home playoff game, so the pressure
went on again and did the job there. And you know,
if we look at the type of game that the
(08:53):
lads were able to play under the roof, all the
things that you want to see, movement, high intensity, passion,
the crowds right there with you, and we were blessed.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
You know.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
The public just kept coming and kept coming, kept coming,
and the boys fed off it. And we're so as
I said, we're so privileged to plan it, so privileged
to have great community behind us, just beaming and red
and black, and it's going to go black this weekend,
which is so lovely certainly.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Well, how do you think the Crusaders are placed heading
into twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
I think they've got a great coaching. I've already mentioned
two of them, and Dan Perrin and Ryan Croddy now
is forging his way, Brad Moore. There's a lot of
experience there under the helm would helmship of Scotti Henson,
who's vastly experienced, knows the organization intimately. So I think
they're in really good shape. We've got a little bit
of I guess Thinness and the roster around the midfield.
(09:50):
We've had some fantastic players there and now move on. Obviously,
our skipper David Harville can't speak hold enough of him
and his contribution to the group, but he leaves it
in good Feeddle. There's a couple of really exciting young
lads coming through in that area, and all it means
is the emphasis will have to probably just go off
(10:12):
the midfield a little bit while you know, the outsides
and the forwards take on a more a more dynamic role,
as as some of those younger men coming to, you know,
come on stream.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
And what about for you, Rob, what is what is
on the agenda for you? Now?
Speaker 4 (10:32):
A watch a bit of cricket. I've got a couple
of lads out of builders and I've been on the
job site for the last couple of weeks, which has
been really refreshing. I'm just the dog body, but that's
all right, you know, And and I look, I love
(10:56):
rugby passionately, and you know, I'm not seeking anything anymore.
You know, I'll get to the age where there's a
lot of exciting young coaches that are passionate and have
the ability to push on. I don't want to be
a handbrake for them, but if there's an opportunity to support,
you know, to carry on supporting someone that might need
(11:17):
a hand on. Yeah, I'll be there and yeah, we'll
just see where it leeds. I've got a very open mind.
But I'm also you know, I've been doing it for
a long time and a freshen up will be equally
as exciting, brilliant.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Well, I'm glad to know that we're not losing you
from the game altogether. Just to finish and do you
reckon the All Blacks will go tonight really good.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
I'm excited about the group they've got. You know, one
guy that hasn't been spoken about a lot that because
he's got an injury as least to Finuku and how
he he got our player of the year and he
dominated the season for us in that hybridy role and
it would have been beautiful to see him in the MAX.
(11:58):
But he's not there at the moment. But I think
sounds like there's a really good buzz inside the group
and they're excited to be here and just a wonderful
experience to see the all Black jersey run out under
the roof and just you know, be able to watch
it from afar with the you know the deep design
(12:19):
in New Zealand rugby that I have.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Love it, Rob, love it. Jet. It's good to see
you mate. You looking well. It must be the building
site and being told what to do by your boys.
I'm not sure I could handle that, but corats on
a great tenure with a crusader's mate and in a
show of real resilience in that role. And thank you
for always picking up the phone to me as well.
You've always been willing to chat and that is greatly appreciated.
Great to see you, mate, Yeah, thank you. It's always
(12:41):
been a pleasure. Rob Penny joining us at Robbie's Lichfield
on Weekend Sport.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Faine, listen live
to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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