August 1, 2025 • 11 mins
After tasting his first Super Rugby Pacific success this year, Crusaders Coach Rob Penney has made the decision to stick around for another year.
After a tumultuous and underwhelming campaign in his first season in 2024, the Crusaders bounced back to claim their 13th full title, defeating the Chiefs 16-12 in last month’s final.
He joined Jason Pine to discuss his decision to stay with the team.
“I always said, you know, if I wasn’t wanted, I would never stay, but you know, that wasn’t the case, so, rapt to be doing it again.”
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
dB confirmation this week that he will return for next
year's Super Rugby Pacific title defense after guiding the Crusaders
to his maiden title this year.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
The Crusaders have done us the retentions com please the
rock Penny side. The Crusaders return to.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Cocker Rob Penny confirmed on Wednesday as returning to the
top job next year. He joins us now. Rob, congratulations
on the contract extension. Was it a relatively straightforward decision
to throw your hat back in the ring, you know, once.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
The review was completed and the information disseminated out of that. Yeah,
that was really all I was waiting forward to make
sure there was no blind spots or anything that might
put the organization in the compromise position. So yeah, that
was wonderful. Accept the opportunity again.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
So there was never a thought in your mind between
the back end of the season or after the Super
Rugby Final and now that you thought maybe I won't
go around again.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Only if the review you know, had worked out the
way it had. Certainly, as I always said, you know,
I wasn't wanted here. I would never stay, but you
know that wasn't the case, so rapped to be doing
it again.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Do you whose opinion do you seek out apart from
the review, Like would you go to the senior players
and say to them, are you ye happy for me
to stay?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
That sort of thing. They're all part of the review. Yeah, yeah,
of course, And there's lots of conversations been headed across
multiple platforms, and yeah, all that's taken into consideration. And
there's many people you know, from outside of the type group,
I guess that are across what's happening daily with the group,
and their opinions matter as well. So multiplely, multiple layered
(02:06):
in terms of the feedback.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
All right, so we've we've got your locked in for
next year? Will you stick with your same coaching group?
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Yeah, it's one of the big things that you know,
it is a really keen head of some solidity. We've had,
you know, changes from when I came in there was
two new coaches and one of them moving into a
new role. Then the end of last year, obviously Tim's
got called into the all black environment, so we had
(02:35):
another change there and another change of role internally, and
so the continuity and the synergy that we can develop
on the back of that coninuity is really important. And
so yeah, there'll be no changes in the coaching roster,
which is outstanding out when.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
You look at those guys James Marshall, Matt Todd, Dan
Pearre and Brad Moore, They're all at different stages of
their coaching journey, aren't they. How much responsibility, rob do
you feel for developing them so they can go on
to chase their coaching ambitions if they choose to do so.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I think it's encumbered on anyone in a situation where
I guess they have a senior role to make sure
that they are thinking about succession, planning and developing their people.
And we're no different. I really enjoy that part of it.
Like when you finish playing and you can't play anymore,
you live your life through the game, through your players.
(03:27):
And then the coaching part of it is you know
when you've come and I guess being less time at
the cold face on the grasp of supporting those that
are and you know, nurturing them and providing any wisdom
and seeking outside help to come in and be inspirational
(03:48):
and educational for their growth, and you know, I really
enjoy that component of it, so that'll continue.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Is it true that Dan Perrin had a coughing fit
for about the first half hour of the final.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Poor man, you got some little, some little yeah issue,
and I think he vomited at one point. But it
wasn't the prettiest of place to be to the first
fifteen minutes, to believe it distracting, to be honest, but
we got there. The big Man's on the road to recovery,
which is awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Good to hear, good to hear. Did the prospect of
playing in a brand new stadium next year play any
part in your decision?
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Yeah, i'd be you know, it would be reticent to
say it didn't, because it's going to be quite a
unique situation and just you know, to get involved in
that special place will be, you be wonderful, and you know,
to be part of the group that gets on there
for the first time will be you know, just I
(04:47):
guess a part of the attraction. But it wasn't. If
you know, if we had been paying it at renual
domain for the year, it wouldn't have changed my decision.
It was it was all about how good this group's
going to be next year and the excitement on the
back of that.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Just on Addington, I know that it's had it. It's
had its totractors and you've got this brand you call
a scene you're going to be playing in which will
be magnificent. But will any part of you, will the
Crusider's organization be sorry to say goodbye to Eddington?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Oh yeah, lots of people will be. It's I think
it's had for trophy successes there in its tenure. So
it's a special place. You know, it looks humble, but
that reflects I guess you know, the attitude that emanates
out of here. It's not pretentious and it's and it's
done a great job and it's it's lasted a hell
(05:37):
of a lot longer than it was ever meant to,
and so you know, it was lovely to be able
to cent her off in the appropriate manner. And as
we build into what will be an incredible stadium for
not only for our region and this province, but also
for the country. The size of the stadium and the
ability to sort of guarantee what the weather is going
(05:59):
to be like in Deside, it is going to be
one of great saffect for the development of the game.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
You've had a bit of time to reflect on the
twenty twenty five season, the Grand Final, those wonderful scenes
at Addington sort of around June. June twenty one, I
think was the Grand Final. Have you been able to
put your finger on anything that was markedly different in
twenty twenty five compared to twenty twenty four.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Well, I think I've said it several times. You know,
the playing roster was the biggest one we had, you know,
the twelve or so boys that were unavailable for long
periods of time and twenty four were all available in
twenty five. But there's you know, as with every campaign,
you know, there's things that change, and you know, we've
(06:49):
got our teeth into the boys early and our preseason
was really successful. We felt and you know, David Heavily
and the leadership group Ethan, Cody Taylor and Will Jordan
a world class, the four of them. The way they
drove the group and and devolve responsibility and allowed others
(07:13):
to grow internally and take responsibility to certain aspects was
just a joy to watch. And you know, those things
all add three or four percents, you know, And so
in the back end obviously we had success, so.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
He squad next year, Will you likely be without Scott
Barrett as he takes a non playing sabbatical.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, it's highly likely that there'll be something you know
around his participation will be reduced markedly, and that's he's
the right man. He's been a wonderful contributor for a
long period of time and you know, it's a bit
like Cody Taylor did last year for seven or eight rounds,
just got their bodies into great shape and you know,
(08:00):
you can understand the rest now behind that and we're
fully supportive. So that's probably highly likely.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Year and the other one so definitely leaving Levi, James O'Connor,
Quintin Strange Yoanni Muana who do you feel like you've
got good depth in their positions to cover their departures.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, yeah, Levi was a great contributor and you know
on the field he's a dynamic player and will miss him,
but left to fire Nuki's back and excited about having
him back and red and black you know, we know
what he can do. And again all black class player,
international class uh and the you know, Quentin has been
(08:43):
a great contributor here and time was, you know, for
him to experience another environment, been here a long time
and contributed brilliantly for his for the time he was here,
and he'll be missed. But we do have a stable
young man coming through in that middle road that you know,
we're very very happy with and excited about, and their
(09:03):
opportunity is going to come and they'll be hungry and
you know, opportunity is about to arride for them. So yeah,
we we feel as though we've got that those positions covered.
Yoanna who was a revelation and will be sadly miss
for as not only as on field but his off
field connection pieces. But we've got some young ones coming through.
(09:26):
We've got two under twenty hookers, eli Od and Ryan
and Moa are just outstanding, you mean, and you know
they're not far off being ready. So we're just in
the space.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Just on Lester. Were you playing the back three or
is he an optional center for you?
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Yeah? Yeah, covers all those positions, yep, without doubt. Are
involved mentioned him as a loose forward?
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Well, he probably could. He's probably got the bill for him.
Are you involved in the conversations around getting Richie mu
Wonga back to New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Yeah, I have been across all those years, so I.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Mean, obviously clearly you'd love to get him back to
the Crusaders, but you just have to wait and see
what plays out higher up than you. Is that how
it works?
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yeah, that's very much how it works. Yeah, Yeah, it's Yeah,
it's one of those things. You've got another year up
in Japan. Obviously you've got nose, he's got his third
year away and you know the twenty seven campaign we'll
you know, potentially highlight an opportunity for someone like him
(10:36):
to come back.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Look forward to that and I guess you're probably theoretically
on holiday, are you, but a year and a watch
a bit of MPC you'd be watching as much as
you could, wouldn't you.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Yeah? I love it. Yeah, it's just exciting to see
a few new faces and a few men that you
know and are excited to contribute and really want to
just get some more rugby under their.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Belt because you've probably got a few gaps, have you,
well you take are you looking at recruiting out of
the MPC for the Crusaders and twenty six?
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Yeah, we've got a couple of spots, so just want
to be playing well. I'm sure like everybody, the all
the super teams will be looking at their depth and
you know, trying to spot the gym that they can
attract to the environment, and we're no different.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Congrats on the contract extension, Rob, look forward to catching
up when the twenty twenty sixth season draws closer.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Pleasure, Thanks, no, thanks for yours, Rob.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Rob penny Crusader's head coach again.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks ed b weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
dB confirmation this week that he will return for next
year's Super Rugby Pacific title defense after guiding the Crusaders
to his maiden title this year.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
The Crusaders have done us the retentions com please the
rock Penny side. The Crusaders return to.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Cocker Rob Penny confirmed on Wednesday as returning to the
top job next year. He joins us now. Rob, congratulations
on the contract extension. Was it a relatively straightforward decision
to throw your hat back in the ring, you know, once.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
The review was completed and the information disseminated out of that. Yeah,
that was really all I was waiting forward to make
sure there was no blind spots or anything that might
put the organization in the compromise position. So yeah, that
was wonderful. Accept the opportunity again.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
So there was never a thought in your mind between
the back end of the season or after the Super
Rugby Final and now that you thought maybe I won't
go around again.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Only if the review you know, had worked out the
way it had. Certainly, as I always said, you know,
I wasn't wanted here. I would never stay, but you
know that wasn't the case, so rapped to be doing
it again.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Do you whose opinion do you seek out apart from
the review, Like would you go to the senior players
and say to them, are you ye happy for me
to stay?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
That sort of thing. They're all part of the review. Yeah, yeah,
of course, And there's lots of conversations been headed across
multiple platforms, and yeah, all that's taken into consideration. And
there's many people you know, from outside of the type group,
I guess that are across what's happening daily with the group,
and their opinions matter as well. So multiplely, multiple layered
(02:06):
in terms of the feedback.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
All right, so we've we've got your locked in for
next year? Will you stick with your same coaching group?
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Yeah, it's one of the big things that you know,
it is a really keen head of some solidity. We've had,
you know, changes from when I came in there was
two new coaches and one of them moving into a
new role. Then the end of last year, obviously Tim's
got called into the all black environment, so we had
(02:35):
another change there and another change of role internally, and
so the continuity and the synergy that we can develop
on the back of that coninuity is really important. And
so yeah, there'll be no changes in the coaching roster,
which is outstanding out when.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
You look at those guys James Marshall, Matt Todd, Dan
Pearre and Brad Moore, They're all at different stages of
their coaching journey, aren't they. How much responsibility, rob do
you feel for developing them so they can go on
to chase their coaching ambitions if they choose to do so.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I think it's encumbered on anyone in a situation where
I guess they have a senior role to make sure
that they are thinking about succession, planning and developing their people.
And we're no different. I really enjoy that part of it.
Like when you finish playing and you can't play anymore,
you live your life through the game, through your players.
(03:27):
And then the coaching part of it is you know
when you've come and I guess being less time at
the cold face on the grasp of supporting those that
are and you know, nurturing them and providing any wisdom
and seeking outside help to come in and be inspirational
(03:48):
and educational for their growth, and you know, I really
enjoy that component of it, so that'll continue.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Is it true that Dan Perrin had a coughing fit
for about the first half hour of the final.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Poor man, you got some little, some little yeah issue,
and I think he vomited at one point. But it
wasn't the prettiest of place to be to the first
fifteen minutes, to believe it distracting, to be honest, but
we got there. The big Man's on the road to recovery,
which is awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Good to hear, good to hear. Did the prospect of
playing in a brand new stadium next year play any
part in your decision?
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Yeah, i'd be you know, it would be reticent to
say it didn't, because it's going to be quite a
unique situation and just you know, to get involved in
that special place will be, you be wonderful, and you know,
to be part of the group that gets on there
for the first time will be you know, just I
(04:47):
guess a part of the attraction. But it wasn't. If
you know, if we had been paying it at renual
domain for the year, it wouldn't have changed my decision.
It was it was all about how good this group's
going to be next year and the excitement on the
back of that.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Just on Addington, I know that it's had it. It's
had its totractors and you've got this brand you call
a scene you're going to be playing in which will
be magnificent. But will any part of you, will the
Crusider's organization be sorry to say goodbye to Eddington?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Oh yeah, lots of people will be. It's I think
it's had for trophy successes there in its tenure. So
it's a special place. You know, it looks humble, but
that reflects I guess you know, the attitude that emanates
out of here. It's not pretentious and it's and it's
done a great job and it's it's lasted a hell
(05:37):
of a lot longer than it was ever meant to,
and so you know, it was lovely to be able
to cent her off in the appropriate manner. And as
we build into what will be an incredible stadium for
not only for our region and this province, but also
for the country. The size of the stadium and the
ability to sort of guarantee what the weather is going
(05:59):
to be like in Deside, it is going to be
one of great saffect for the development of the game.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
You've had a bit of time to reflect on the
twenty twenty five season, the Grand Final, those wonderful scenes
at Addington sort of around June. June twenty one, I
think was the Grand Final. Have you been able to
put your finger on anything that was markedly different in
twenty twenty five compared to twenty twenty four.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Well, I think I've said it several times. You know,
the playing roster was the biggest one we had, you know,
the twelve or so boys that were unavailable for long
periods of time and twenty four were all available in
twenty five. But there's you know, as with every campaign,
you know, there's things that change, and you know, we've
(06:49):
got our teeth into the boys early and our preseason
was really successful. We felt and you know, David Heavily
and the leadership group Ethan, Cody Taylor and Will Jordan
a world class, the four of them. The way they
drove the group and and devolve responsibility and allowed others
(07:13):
to grow internally and take responsibility to certain aspects was
just a joy to watch. And you know, those things
all add three or four percents, you know, And so
in the back end obviously we had success, so.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
He squad next year, Will you likely be without Scott
Barrett as he takes a non playing sabbatical.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, it's highly likely that there'll be something you know
around his participation will be reduced markedly, and that's he's
the right man. He's been a wonderful contributor for a
long period of time and you know, it's a bit
like Cody Taylor did last year for seven or eight rounds,
just got their bodies into great shape and you know,
(08:00):
you can understand the rest now behind that and we're
fully supportive. So that's probably highly likely.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Year and the other one so definitely leaving Levi, James O'Connor,
Quintin Strange Yoanni Muana who do you feel like you've
got good depth in their positions to cover their departures.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, yeah, Levi was a great contributor and you know
on the field he's a dynamic player and will miss him,
but left to fire Nuki's back and excited about having
him back and red and black you know, we know
what he can do. And again all black class player,
international class uh and the you know, Quentin has been
(08:43):
a great contributor here and time was, you know, for
him to experience another environment, been here a long time
and contributed brilliantly for his for the time he was here,
and he'll be missed. But we do have a stable
young man coming through in that middle road that you know,
we're very very happy with and excited about, and their
(09:03):
opportunity is going to come and they'll be hungry and
you know, opportunity is about to arride for them. So yeah,
we we feel as though we've got that those positions covered.
Yoanna who was a revelation and will be sadly miss
for as not only as on field but his off
field connection pieces. But we've got some young ones coming through.
(09:26):
We've got two under twenty hookers, eli Od and Ryan
and Moa are just outstanding, you mean, and you know
they're not far off being ready. So we're just in
the space.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Just on Lester. Were you playing the back three or
is he an optional center for you?
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Yeah? Yeah, covers all those positions, yep, without doubt. Are
involved mentioned him as a loose forward?
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Well, he probably could. He's probably got the bill for him.
Are you involved in the conversations around getting Richie mu
Wonga back to New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Yeah, I have been across all those years, so I.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Mean, obviously clearly you'd love to get him back to
the Crusaders, but you just have to wait and see
what plays out higher up than you. Is that how
it works?
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yeah, that's very much how it works. Yeah, Yeah, it's Yeah,
it's one of those things. You've got another year up
in Japan. Obviously you've got nose, he's got his third
year away and you know the twenty seven campaign we'll
you know, potentially highlight an opportunity for someone like him
(10:36):
to come back.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Look forward to that and I guess you're probably theoretically
on holiday, are you, but a year and a watch
a bit of MPC you'd be watching as much as
you could, wouldn't you.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Yeah? I love it. Yeah, it's just exciting to see
a few new faces and a few men that you
know and are excited to contribute and really want to
just get some more rugby under their.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Belt because you've probably got a few gaps, have you,
well you take are you looking at recruiting out of
the MPC for the Crusaders and twenty six?
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Yeah, we've got a couple of spots, so just want
to be playing well. I'm sure like everybody, the all
the super teams will be looking at their depth and
you know, trying to spot the gym that they can
attract to the environment, and we're no different.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Congrats on the contract extension, Rob, look forward to catching
up when the twenty twenty sixth season draws closer.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Pleasure, Thanks, no, thanks for yours, Rob.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Rob penny Crusader's head coach again.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks ed b weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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