A defiant Rob Penney says he won’t stand down as coach despite the Crusaders’ two-win, 10-loss record this season which leaves the defending champions in doubt to make the playoffs.
In a tense to-and-fro with media this afternoon, Penney, who took over from Scott Robertson this season, said he retained the backing of the players and expected to be in the head coaching role next season.
Robertson won seven titles in a row during his seven seasons at the Crusaders, but Penney, although hampered by injury to key players, has struggled to maintain anything like the consistency of performance that the new All Blacks head coach achieved.
The Crusaders play the top-of-the-table Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.
Today, Penney was asked: “How much responsibility do the players have to take?”
Penney: “We’re all in it together. It’s a combination of many things and we’ll endeavour to put on a great performance this week against the Blues.”
“What would you do differently?”
Penney: “Probably win those critical moments that we’re not able to get across the line. We’ve been close multiple times."
“Do you expect to be in same role next year?”
Penney: “Absolutely.”
“Would you consider stepping aside?”
Penney: “No.”
Asked whether he would consider a more hands off “director of rugby” type role next season, Penney replied: “I don’t know why that would be mooted.”
It is understood that Penney is on a two-year contract, with Tamati Ellison, an assistant under Penney as well as Robertson, in line to succeed him.
Few apart from the Crusaders’ most committed fans will expect the home side to prevail against a Blues side which has gone to a new level in terms of forward power and defence this season, but Penney said he was excited about the match-up.
“Not long after the completion of the Brumbies [game] we had already started to look at the Blues and the boys were invigorated by the prospect," he said.
Asked where the blame lies for a season marked by poor on-field decision making which reached its nadir at the end of last weekend’s defeat to the Brumbies when Quinten Strange conceded a penalty try, Penney said: “If you are looking to apportion blame I’ll leave that to others but all I know everyone in the organisation is working really hard to get the outcomes we’re deserving and would love to see.”
He was asked: “What could you do better or change?”
“You’re always looking to improve and get better,” Penney replied. “That’s a continual evolution in the role that I’m in and that won’t change.”
Penney, sacked by the Waratahs in his last Super Rugby job, was asked if he was tempted to “put a line” under this season and move on.
“Absolutely not,” he replied.
“Why?”
“Because I love this group and I know what they’re capable of. You only have to reflect back to a few seasons ago to I think 2001 when the Crusaders, after winning three in a row, finished 10th. Then they went through unbeaten in 2002. I’m not sure where all this… the doom and gloom is not something we’re buying into.”
Asked if he had assurances his job was safe, Penney replied: “Yes, I’m boxing on… we’re already looking forward to next year.”
Asked if he still had the support of the players, he said: “I wouldn’t be here if I felt otherwise.”
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