Crusaders coach Rob Penney remains defiant in the face of his side’s disastrous run of results, saying he’s confident Super Rugby Pacific’s defending champions can still win the competition this season.
The Crusaders have won only one of eight matches in 2024 and are dead last of 12 teams, a lack of experience, leadership and at times common sense costing them time and again in terms of on-field tactics and game management.
They have lost twice to the Waratahs – the franchise which sacked Penney halfway through his three-year contract in 2021 – with their nadir occurring last weekend when they were thrashed 37-15 by the Force in Perth.
Fans used to the Crusaders’ remarkable seven-year run under former coach Scott Robertson are becoming disgruntled, with chief executive Colin Mansbridge telling media outlets that Penney retains his full support and that calls from commentators to sack the head coach were “childish”.
Asked by 1News’ Jordan Oppert this morning whether he was feeling the pressure, Penney replied: “I think it’s all part of the job. We’re not where we want to be and that causes … yeah, I guess within the organisation there’s a little bit of anxiety around that.”
The Crusaders have been badly hurt by the departures of Sam Whitelock and Richie Mo’unga, plus injuries to Fergus Burke, Will Jordan, Scott Barrett, Leigh Halfpenny and Braydon Ennor, among others, along with the extended break taken by Codie Taylor.
The manner of the team’s defeat to the Force, however, and the consistent errors they are making will be a real source of concern within the franchise.
“Last week was poor which was a real disappointment because we’d been on an uphill trajectory and I think there was a little bit of a hangover of the Tahs disappointment in that,” Penney said.
Asked what his conversations with Mansbridge and the board were like, he replied: “Honest and very supportive.”
Pressed on whether he expected this run of results before he arrived from a role in Japan, the former Canterbury coach said: “No.”
Penney added: “I think we’ve got the talent here. If we had the roster that was going to be available to us, then I think with things around maturity, experience and leadership in the group we’d be fine but due to injuries and operations the roster has changed significantly in that area.
“But that’s our job as coaches to grow people… unfortunately this level of pressure on the group is not great because it hinders that development. But it’s money in the bank because it’s going bear fruit at some point.”
Asked whether he believed the Crusaders could still win the competition, Penney replied: “Yes, absolutely.” Asked what it would take, he said: “A few wins - as simple as that.”
The Crusaders went close in round one against the Chiefs in Hamilton, but were off the pace the next week against the Waratahs in Melbourne.
They fell to the Fijian Drua in extreme heat in Lautoka and lost a close one to the Hurricanes in Christchurch before being soundly beaten by the Blues at Eden Park.
A relatively comprehensive 37-26 win over the Chiefs at home promised better things before they conspired to lose to the Waratahs in Sydney despite leading with time up on the clock, a defeat which paved the way for their shocking performance in Perth.
One of the hallmarks of the Robertson era was the Crusaders’ willingness to take risks and express themselves no matter the player's level of experience.
That confidence is conspicuous by its absence now, a point confirmed by Penney.
“We feel as though there are guys not doing enough. We’ve been encouraging them the whole year to be brave and we’ll support them and back them. We know we’re creating opportunities… we’d encourage them to do more.”
The Crusaders’ next assignment is against the fourth-placed Rebels in Christchurch on Friday.
Asked whether a good showing was important, Penney replied: “I think a really good showing every week is really important. That’s one of the challenges that we’ve discussed is to ensure that no matter the result, that people can see that the team really cares about what’s going on. A really good performance is important for everybody.
“I’ve got a lot of belief in the group. I trust them implicitly. I don’t have any doubt, as I said, that we can win the competition. I think the coaching staff is doing an amazing job under all sorts of pressure. We’re only small margins away. Hopefully Friday night will be the moment we get the turn.”
One of the more alarming sights for Crusaders fans will be the concession of three maul tries in the past two defeats. Previously an area of strength, it’s now a weakness.
“Disappointing,” Penney said. “It’s part of the DNA of the Crusaders and the Crusaders forward pack, in particular. They’re hurting.”
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