Justin Marshall’s forthright verdict on Crusaders’ chances ahead of 2025 Super Rugby campaign

David Skippers
Crusaders and Justin Marshall image

The Crusaders team form a huddle and former scrum-half Justin Marshall.

All Blacks and Crusaders legend Justin Marshall is backing the Christchurch-based outfit to return to their former glory during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The Crusaders are the most successful side in Super Rugby history and won seven titles in a row between 2017 and 2023 under the guidance of former head coach Scott Robertson, who subsequently moved on to take over the coaching reins at the All Blacks.

However, things went pear-shaped when Robertson’s replacement Rob Penney took over in 2024 as they struggled throughout Super Rugby Pacific, eventually winning just four out of their 14 matches and losing the remaining 10.

Missed out on the play-offs for the first time since 2015

That meant they failed to reach the prestigious tournament’s play-offs for the first time since 2015 while it’s only the fifth time since the inaugural Super Rugby season in 1996 that they missed out on the knockout stages.

Despite their dreadful form – they eventually finished ninth out of 12 teams – Penney’s services were retained and Marshall believes he can turn around their fortunes in 2025 after their forgetful 2024 campaign.

“I’ll stick my neck out. It’s not very often (that the Crusaders struggle),” he told DSPN with Martin Devlin. “Even when we started with the Crusaders and we didn’t win all the time.

“And over the 10-year period, then we started to be very successful, but we didn’t win every title. I think in my 10 years, we won five. So there was two where we really struggled in the first two years.

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“So, you know, that leaves two more years where we didn’t win, you know. And every team then regroups and reassesses. It’s very rare for a franchise like the Crusaders to have back-to-back poor seasons.”

Penney told the show’s host recently to “put some money” on the Crusaders ahead of the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season and Marshall agrees with the coach, saying he has been impressed with their recruitment during the off-season.

‘I like the inclusion of James O’Connor’

“I agree with Rob Penney. I like the inclusion of James O’Connor. I really do,” he said.

“People have raised their eyebrows, but I just think he’ll be really healthy for that backline with the hole that was left now by Fergus Burke, but equally Richie Mo’unga.

“I just think that having somebody like him in that shirt with the players and the talent he’s got around him will be good for that side. And equally, he’s massively motivated.

“He wants to play against the (British & Irish) Lions. So he’s not going to go out there and be collecting a paycheck every week. He wants to be in that Australian side to play the Lions.

“So watch out. I’m with Rob Penney. In fact, where’s my phone? I might just get a little bet on now. What’s the odds?”

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