Crusaders make decision on future of Scott Robertson’s replacement after dire season and X-rated jibe
The Crusaders are set to confirm the future of the coach after a poor season.
The Crusaders look set to confirm the future of head coach Rob Penney ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season after his disastrous first campaign in charge.
Penney signed a two-year deal with the franchise ahead of the 2024 campaign, replacing hugely successful head coach Scott Robertson after his move into the All Blacks’ coaching box.
Rob Penney’s first season in charge
Under Robertson’s tutelage, the Crusaders won seven consecutive Super Rugby titles and, while many predicted a fall-off and rebuilding phase, the first year under Penney was simply catastrophic.
The Crusaders are renowned slow starters in Super Rugby but, in 2024, they lost their opening five matches of the season, their worst-ever start in the competition’s history.
The defending champions would go on to win just four games throughout the season and missed out on a place in the knockout stages by two points.
Despite the terrible start to his tenure, Penney looks set to retain the top job for another season at least, according to reports in New Zealand. Stuff reports that the Crusaders will make their decision public next week.
CEO Colin Mansbridge refused to guarantee that Penney would remain in the role after the club failed to make the play-offs for the first time since 2015, but Penney looks set to be handed a reprieve.
Mansbridge is due to announce the decision after completing a full review of the season with the help of Australian company Gain Line Analytics, which included players being interviewed and addressing the side’s excessive injury woes.
The Crusaders’ poor results were also not helped by the absence of captain Scott Barrett for most of the season nor by the departures of Sam Whitelock and Richie Mo’unga.
Further controversy
While Penney was put under the pump because of the team’s poor results, he made matters worse at the tail-end of the season with a vulgar spray aimed at a journalist which was caught on film.
When pressed about his future with the Crusaders, Penney provided punchy answers before being filmed talking to his media manager where he remarked: “He’s a disgrace, that c—-. Who’s he?”
The Crusaders’ stunningly poor season and the aforementioned outburst led many to believe that Penney would be out the door ahead of the new season but it looks as if the former Munster and Waratahs coach will see out his contract with the side at least.
Potential successors for Penney beyond 2025 are likely to come from within the current coaching structures with former All Blacks and current assistant coach Tamati Ellison tipped for the role.
READ MORE: ‘Disgraceful’ – Under the cosh Crusaders boss lashes out at journo in foul-mouthed rant
