Analysis: Foul language directed at reporter comes on top of talk some senior players are struggling with Penney's methods, writes Patrick McKendry.
Rob Penney’s foul language directed at a 1News journalist after a press conference at the Crusaders headquarters will make it more difficult for the franchise’s board to justify retaining him at the end of the season.
The board may have already made their decision after watching the defending champions stumble to a two-win, 10-loss record in a season characterised by inconsistency and poor on-field decision making.
Penney’s comments, picked by microphones after a press conference featuring what should have been regarded as a routine line of questioning, should add to what will be a mounting list of concerns for the franchise.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney wasn’t happy about the questions being asked about his team’s poor season by 1News. (Source: 1News)
In an aside to a Crusaders colleague, Penney referred to reporter Thomas Mead as a “disgrace” and a “c**t”.
It has forced chief executive Colin Mansbridge to an issue an official apology on behalf of the franchise – a necessary move which should embarrass Mansbridge and Penney and the franchise as a whole – and with two rounds remaining and the defending champions unlikely to make the playoffs, there may be more bad news in store for the head coach.
1News understands some senior players have struggled to get on to Penney’s wavelength due to, among other things, what they see as an inconsistent selection policy.
It’s not difficult to see why.
Richie Mo’unga’s departure for Japanese club rugby left a huge hole in terms of talent and experience in the No.10 jersey but Penney’s attempt to fill it has been problematic.
He has tried Taha Kemara, Rivez Reihana and Riley Hohepa there with mixed results before deciding on All Blacks midfielder David Havili, apparently on advice from All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, the hugely successful leader that Penney succeeded at the franchise.
On the face of it, the decision made sense. Havili, a versatile 29-year-old who has 27 Test caps has made a big success of his move from fullback to the midfield and has the composure and nous to play No.10, too, according to the All Blacks.
“If we could slip him in there they’d be very appreciative,” said Penney of the call from the All Blacks coaches at the time.
The problem with this sort of response is that it could make people wonder whose team it is exactly. Is it Penney’s or Robertson’s? As Penney is rapidly discovering, language matters, and not only that picked up by a hot mike.
To make matters worse, Havili, talked about as the long-term solution to the Crusaders’ first-five problem, lasted just one game there – the defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin – before being shifted back to second-five in favour of the Fergus Burke, who returned from Achilles and calf problems for his first match of the season last weekend.
“He’s an outstanding world-class talent and has embraced the challenge of being a 10 which is so exciting,” Penney said of Havili. “He’s got all the attributes that you need in a world-class 10, and him embracing it gives us an opportunity to unleash him.”
Penney had said Burke was likely to play back-up to Havili for the rest of the season, only to change his mind days later. The off-field incoherence has been reflected on the field - Penney's players have lacked confidence, discipline, and clarity as to what sort of game they want to play.
Asked about the Crusaders' woes recently, Robertson replied: "How do I put this professionally? It's been a ride."
Where is all this leading? Likely to a damning players’ review at the end of a season which has been an unmitigated disaster for a franchise which states that its strategic goal is to win the competition every year.
That review will carry weight with the board who should think carefully about retaining a coach they brought in as a caretaker for two years, the idea being that the highly-regarded Tamati Ellison would take over in 2026.
It’s a decision now that reeks of hubris.
Above all, after Penney’s public meltdown, the board should ask: What is the upside of retaining him?
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