May 31, 2025 • 9 mins
The Crusaders have clinched the second seed in Super Rugby Pacific after a thrilling 33-31 win over the Brumbies in Canberra.
Trailing 31-28 with seven minutes remaining, replacement hooker George Bell dotted down in the 77th minute to snatch victory.
Head coach Rob Penney joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB Canberra.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
It's kick did's it's a thriller in the chiller and camera,
but the Crusaders hang on to finish seconds and super
right be Pacific Yes and by doing so, hosting rights
against the Reds Friday Nights in christ. Full commentary of
that game too on Gold Sport and iHeartRadio with Nick
Buley and the team Crusader's head coach Rob Penny is
(00:35):
with us. Rob sort of occurs to me that that
was a tough game for you on Friday night and
compared to many of the other sides in the top six,
you come into the finals off the back of a
real battle. How helpful might that be to you as
you now tackle finals footy?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
As you say, we was a really hard for physical
encounter with a great side. You know, obviously Bumby's getting third.
It was always going to be pretty titanic and you know,
we've looked at it as part of a guess, part
of the build up to the to the playoffs, so
who knows, but we feel as though it's it's set
(01:14):
us up really well. We've come through you know the
game pretty well in terms of the the physical nature
and so forth, and we've got some great learnings and
we'll be you know, pushing on with those this week.
So hopefully we really do believe it set us up nicely.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, well, it's seven wins in your last eight. Do
you believe in the in the concept of momentum.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Well, there's nothing to replace confidence, and that's all. You know,
it's all tied up with that, With that concept of
momentum I GIFs, you get wins and then they it's
sort of self fulfilling prophecy. You know, the energy and
excitement and confidence you get from a win sort of
turns and gives you another opportunity the next week, and
if you can build on that, that's where it comes from. Really,
(02:00):
So there is an element to it, but that doesn't
mean that, you know, a team with quality can't can't
bounce through quickly if they've had a couple of bad
runs or bad outcomes. So there's something in it, but
it's not the be all and the end of.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Did you know Sava rece could drop goals?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Did? He loves it? Like he's got a multifested skill set.
He does practice them at training, and he practices goal
kicking at training and he's really good.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
All right, Well he's one from one this season, so
you can't do much better than that. Let's look ahead
the Reds Friday night. You beat them in a round four?
Is that now a little bit too long ago to
be relevant this weekend?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, just reviewing the Reds again and watching them play
last night and listened to some of the comments. You know,
they're talking about a game twelve months ago where you
know they stung us here badly at home. So I mean,
if we're talking about a game three or four months ago,
is now irrelevant? Talking a game twelve months ago is
(03:05):
still relevant. They look, they're all pieces of the puddle puzzle.
It's how that's how you're tied all together to make
it relevant. And they're obviously feeding on that performance at
Orange Theory twelve months ago. And and we'll dip into
the Reds game round I think it was around four.
But conditions will be entirely different, you know, at the
(03:25):
time of year. You know, as you said, you know,
the evolvement of both teams during the campaign will be
markedly different. So lots of things to take into account.
But yeah, you can certainly reflect on those previous encounters
and take a bit out of it.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
If you talk about pieces in a puzzle, your selection puzzle,
if you can call it that. You got to Ethan
Black at a back. He'd missed the last four games.
I think I hadn't seen him since you went over
the blues. How critical has returned to you?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Look, he's he in a number of ways. His performance
is a you know, a top shelf every time is
consistent to performance and what he delivers for the group,
and then you know, you see him around the group
during the week and what he offers his teammates and
the jersey and the legacy of the Crusaders, I guess
(04:19):
as all the things that you want from your great
Canniby Crusader men. And to be fair, all the boys
embrace their element and but Ethan's right at the pinnacle
with two or three others that that relead that for us.
So yep, it's great having back and we're better for it.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Will you have will Jordan back this week?
Speaker 3 (04:44):
We've still got a wee bit of water to go
under the bridge there, but it's all pretty positive at
this stage. But there were no confirmation until probably probably
Wednesday before we are able to confirm or rule that out.
But it's all really positive at the stage.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
And David heavily didn't play against the Bronbies. That was
just race though was it.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Had a time only a little bit of a tightness
in his hemmy, but so it was a combination of
a massive workload. His stats are you know, going through
the roof across the game, particularly in the contact and
the and the high meters he's attaining and games, so
his work rates off the scale, so double edge. He
(05:26):
didn't want to really have a week off, but it's
turned out to be the best thing we could have done.
And you know, we can't wait him back in there
leading us.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
And can I just ask you about the bloke who
most often has worn the twenty two jumper for you
this season, James O'Connor. Can you talk a bit about
his impact and influence on your side this year.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Yeah, he's he's been a great asset for us. I think,
you know, the question gets often asked about him because
he's a He's a charismatic guy with a with a
fantastic rugby intellect and an attitude of you know, wanting
to give and express himself and and be a part
(06:07):
of something far greater than himself, which is which is
a wonderful attribute to have at his stage of his directs.
His knowledge is right up there, and his ability and
confidence to share that and debate and challenge is awesome.
But there's also his ability to wrap his arm around
a couple of our younger blokes who are finding their
way in the professional arena and support them and nurture
(06:30):
and cajole has just been exactly what we had hoped
it would be. You know, he's living the words he
spoke to us about when he best had the discussion
with us about coming here. And can't speak highly enough
about the man.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
When we did this feature last year, Robin and spoke
to the coaches who were involved in Finals football. We
didn't have to ring you, did you always believe that
twenty twenty four was a blip that you could recover
immediately from.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yeah, we were. I think we were one went away
from being fixed. And had we been there, you know,
I had every faith that the would have the quality
to push through and be a real challenger. You know,
you look at the Blues similar this year, they've managed
to get into the tops, they'll be massively motivated and
(07:20):
there'll be a massive challenge forever whoever they get they
and you'd have to say, you know, they've had a
you know, a bit of I guess, a challenging season. Yeah. No,
I always had faith that the group would bounce.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
And there'll be guys on your side who are hoping
to hear their names read out in an all black
squad in a few weeks time. Do you talk to
your players specifically about their All black's ambitions?
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Everyone's awad No, not specifically, I guess with all the
coaches are capable of having really good communication or chats
with the boys about the bigger picture stuff and you know,
ensuring that the focus on the here and now and
(08:07):
that the benefits that they'll get will be on the
back of performing really well for the Crusaders. And look,
without doubt and without any doubt in my mind in
terms of questioning approach, that the players here are deeply
invested in the Crusaders and you know what their time
(08:30):
and the jersey means, and that that one'm talking about
the players that have been great All Blacks, and it's
a real thrill it's a it's an incredible environment to
be around knowing that the you know, the people that
have other responsibilities and other teams are still so heavily
invested in this, in this group and what it does,
(08:52):
and it's a real wanted to be a tiny week
part of that.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Congrats on the on the bounce you've overseen in twenty
twenty five. Roble the Beast for the week ahead, Thanks
for your time this afternoon, pleasure.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Thanks very much, look forward to catching up again.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Maybe may be so, Rob, You're and yourself another week
and we'll certainly take you up on that offer. Thanks indeed,
Rob Ennick, head coach of the Crusaders, so they're through
safely in the top two and we'll host the Reds
on Friday night.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
There For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen
live to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB Canberra.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
It's kick did's it's a thriller in the chiller and camera,
but the Crusaders hang on to finish seconds and super
right be Pacific Yes and by doing so, hosting rights
against the Reds Friday Nights in christ. Full commentary of
that game too on Gold Sport and iHeartRadio with Nick
Buley and the team Crusader's head coach Rob Penny is
(00:35):
with us. Rob sort of occurs to me that that
was a tough game for you on Friday night and
compared to many of the other sides in the top six,
you come into the finals off the back of a
real battle. How helpful might that be to you as
you now tackle finals footy?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
As you say, we was a really hard for physical
encounter with a great side. You know, obviously Bumby's getting third.
It was always going to be pretty titanic and you know,
we've looked at it as part of a guess, part
of the build up to the to the playoffs, so
who knows, but we feel as though it's it's set
(01:14):
us up really well. We've come through you know the
game pretty well in terms of the the physical nature
and so forth, and we've got some great learnings and
we'll be you know, pushing on with those this week.
So hopefully we really do believe it set us up nicely.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, well, it's seven wins in your last eight. Do
you believe in the in the concept of momentum.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Well, there's nothing to replace confidence, and that's all. You know,
it's all tied up with that, With that concept of
momentum I GIFs, you get wins and then they it's
sort of self fulfilling prophecy. You know, the energy and
excitement and confidence you get from a win sort of
turns and gives you another opportunity the next week, and
if you can build on that, that's where it comes from. Really,
(02:00):
So there is an element to it, but that doesn't
mean that, you know, a team with quality can't can't
bounce through quickly if they've had a couple of bad
runs or bad outcomes. So there's something in it, but
it's not the be all and the end of.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Did you know Sava rece could drop goals?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Did? He loves it? Like he's got a multifested skill set.
He does practice them at training, and he practices goal
kicking at training and he's really good.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
All right, Well he's one from one this season, so
you can't do much better than that. Let's look ahead
the Reds Friday night. You beat them in a round four?
Is that now a little bit too long ago to
be relevant this weekend?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, just reviewing the Reds again and watching them play
last night and listened to some of the comments. You know,
they're talking about a game twelve months ago where you
know they stung us here badly at home. So I mean,
if we're talking about a game three or four months ago,
is now irrelevant? Talking a game twelve months ago is
(03:05):
still relevant. They look, they're all pieces of the puddle puzzle.
It's how that's how you're tied all together to make
it relevant. And they're obviously feeding on that performance at
Orange Theory twelve months ago. And and we'll dip into
the Reds game round I think it was around four.
But conditions will be entirely different, you know, at the
(03:25):
time of year. You know, as you said, you know,
the evolvement of both teams during the campaign will be
markedly different. So lots of things to take into account.
But yeah, you can certainly reflect on those previous encounters
and take a bit out of it.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
If you talk about pieces in a puzzle, your selection puzzle,
if you can call it that. You got to Ethan
Black at a back. He'd missed the last four games.
I think I hadn't seen him since you went over
the blues. How critical has returned to you?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Look, he's he in a number of ways. His performance
is a you know, a top shelf every time is
consistent to performance and what he delivers for the group,
and then you know, you see him around the group
during the week and what he offers his teammates and
the jersey and the legacy of the Crusaders, I guess
(04:19):
as all the things that you want from your great
Canniby Crusader men. And to be fair, all the boys
embrace their element and but Ethan's right at the pinnacle
with two or three others that that relead that for us.
So yep, it's great having back and we're better for it.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Will you have will Jordan back this week?
Speaker 3 (04:44):
We've still got a wee bit of water to go
under the bridge there, but it's all pretty positive at
this stage. But there were no confirmation until probably probably
Wednesday before we are able to confirm or rule that out.
But it's all really positive at the stage.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
And David heavily didn't play against the Bronbies. That was
just race though was it.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Had a time only a little bit of a tightness
in his hemmy, but so it was a combination of
a massive workload. His stats are you know, going through
the roof across the game, particularly in the contact and
the and the high meters he's attaining and games, so
his work rates off the scale, so double edge. He
(05:26):
didn't want to really have a week off, but it's
turned out to be the best thing we could have done.
And you know, we can't wait him back in there
leading us.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
And can I just ask you about the bloke who
most often has worn the twenty two jumper for you
this season, James O'Connor. Can you talk a bit about
his impact and influence on your side this year.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Yeah, he's he's been a great asset for us. I think,
you know, the question gets often asked about him because
he's a He's a charismatic guy with a with a
fantastic rugby intellect and an attitude of you know, wanting
to give and express himself and and be a part
(06:07):
of something far greater than himself, which is which is
a wonderful attribute to have at his stage of his directs.
His knowledge is right up there, and his ability and
confidence to share that and debate and challenge is awesome.
But there's also his ability to wrap his arm around
a couple of our younger blokes who are finding their
way in the professional arena and support them and nurture
(06:30):
and cajole has just been exactly what we had hoped
it would be. You know, he's living the words he
spoke to us about when he best had the discussion
with us about coming here. And can't speak highly enough
about the man.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
When we did this feature last year, Robin and spoke
to the coaches who were involved in Finals football. We
didn't have to ring you, did you always believe that
twenty twenty four was a blip that you could recover
immediately from.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yeah, we were. I think we were one went away
from being fixed. And had we been there, you know,
I had every faith that the would have the quality
to push through and be a real challenger. You know,
you look at the Blues similar this year, they've managed
to get into the tops, they'll be massively motivated and
(07:20):
there'll be a massive challenge forever whoever they get they
and you'd have to say, you know, they've had a
you know, a bit of I guess, a challenging season. Yeah. No,
I always had faith that the group would bounce.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
And there'll be guys on your side who are hoping
to hear their names read out in an all black
squad in a few weeks time. Do you talk to
your players specifically about their All black's ambitions?
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Everyone's awad No, not specifically, I guess with all the
coaches are capable of having really good communication or chats
with the boys about the bigger picture stuff and you know,
ensuring that the focus on the here and now and
(08:07):
that the benefits that they'll get will be on the
back of performing really well for the Crusaders. And look,
without doubt and without any doubt in my mind in
terms of questioning approach, that the players here are deeply
invested in the Crusaders and you know what their time
(08:30):
and the jersey means, and that that one'm talking about
the players that have been great All Blacks, and it's
a real thrill it's a it's an incredible environment to
be around knowing that the you know, the people that
have other responsibilities and other teams are still so heavily
invested in this, in this group and what it does,
(08:52):
and it's a real wanted to be a tiny week
part of that.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Congrats on the on the bounce you've overseen in twenty
twenty five. Roble the Beast for the week ahead, Thanks
for your time this afternoon, pleasure.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Thanks very much, look forward to catching up again.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Maybe may be so, Rob, You're and yourself another week
and we'll certainly take you up on that offer. Thanks indeed,
Rob Ennick, head coach of the Crusaders, so they're through
safely in the top two and we'll host the Reds
on Friday night.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
There For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen
live to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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