Coach Rob Penney credits Crusaders' patience after securing Super Rugby final berth
Canterbury Crusaders' Will Jordan is tackled in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals between fellow New Zealand team Auckland Blues in Christchurch on June 13, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
Coach Rob Penney credited the Canterbury Crusaders' management for their patience after guiding his team to the Super Rugby Pacific final with victory over the Auckland Blues on June 13, 12 months after missing out on the play-offs.
Penney led the Crusaders to a 21-14 win in Christchurch as Super Rugby's most dominant outfit extended their remarkable unbeaten run in play-off matches on home soil to 31 victories over the last three decades.
The win came a year after the Crusaders decided to stick with Penney despite his failure to take the team into the play-offs, and that decision has now paid off with a return to the series final.
'I will put a wee shout-out to the management,' said Penney. 'Last year was a challenge and they were under the pump. They showed great courage in allowing me to have another one.
'And there may be a lesson in the future for some other people, that if they trust the coach in one year, you know, maybe they should let them carry on. If things turn around, great.
'But I just can't speak highly enough of the people that I work for. It's a wonderful organisation, as everyone knows, and it's a privilege and an honour.'
Penney was appointed by the Crusaders having previously been sacked by the New South Wales Waratahs, where his 18-month spell in charge came to an end after his side lost the first five matches of their 2021 Super Rugby campaign.
He took over as Crusaders coach in June 2023 when Scott Robertson, who had led his team to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles, departed to take charge of the All Blacks.
Penney's side won only four of 14 matches during his first season in charge, but the Crusaders go into Saturday's final having secured 11 regular-season victories before sealing play-off wins over the Queensland Reds and the Blues.
The 61-year-old now stands on the cusp of his first Super Rugby title as a coach, with his team due to play either the ACT Brumbies or the Waikato Chiefs in the decider.
'You'd have to say the Chiefs have been awesome all year and they'll be a massive challenge, but whoever comes out on top will be a massive challenge,' he said of his team's potential opponents. 'We've done nothing yet except get ourselves there.' REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
44 minutes ago
- Straits Times
US Open final round to resume after near two-hour delay
FILE PHOTO: Jun 14, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Sam Burns plays his shot from the 18th tee during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS OAKMONT, Pennsylvania - The final round of the U.S. Open on Sunday at Oakmont Country Club will resume after a near two-hour delay caused by heavy rain with overnight leader Sam Burns clinging to a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Scott. Tournament organisers said they are aiming to resume the year's third major at 5:40 p.m. ET (2140 GMT) after a delay that saw rain pool up on greens and fairways and forced the grounds crew at Oakmont to use squeegees to get the course ready. Players were already back on the range and could return to a much different course that might allow them to attack pins on the notoriously slick greens more aggressively but will also face thick rough that will be even more penal. Burns, who started the day one shot clear of Day and J.J. Spaun and seeking his first major title, was two over for the day through his first seven holes. Scott, the 44-year-old Australian playing in his 96th consecutive major, mixed three bogeys with a birdie over his first seven holes. Spaun fell back early as he opened his round with three consecutive bogeys, including at the par-four second when he caught an unlucky break as his approach took one hop and hit the flagstick before spinning back down the fairway some 50 yards. Among the early starters, twice major champion Jon Rahm closed with a three-under 67 that was his best round of the week to reach four over. Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy also saved his best for last and carded a 67 to reach seven over. Pre-tournament favourite and world number one Scottie Scheffler, who began the final round eight shots off the lead, was one over through his first 11 holes. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Preserve rich history of St Wilfred Sport Centre
I refer to the the article 'Kallang Basin Swimming Complex and St Wilfred Sport Centre to close', June 14. St Wilfred Sport Centre has a rich, long history of sports and recreation activities, and I hope some of it can be preserved. For example, I hope some tennis or squash courts can be reinstated in the same site. The majestic tree next to the tennis court can also be retained. Rather than simply being a new public housing estate with standard features, I hope the planners can take a creative approach and retain parts of the rich history of this area. Choo Kian Boon More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
US Open final round play suspended due to dangerous weather
FILE PHOTO: Jun 14, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Sam Burns plays his shot from the 18th tee during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS OAKMONT, Pennsylvania - Heavy rain and dangerous weather forced a stoppage in play during the final round of the U.S. Open on Sunday at Oakmont Country Club where overnight leader Sam Burns was clinging to a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Scott. Players were evacuated from the course at 4:01 p.m. ET (2001 GMT) with dangerous weather in the area while driving rain left water pooling up on the putting surface. Burns, who started the day one shot clear of Day and J.J. Spaun and seeking his first major title, was two over for the day through his first seven holes. Scott, the 44-year-old Australian playing in his 96th consecutive major, mixed three bogeys with a birdie over his first seven holes. Spaun fell back early as he opened his round with three consecutive bogeys, including at the par-four second when he caught an unlucky break as his approach took one hop and hit the flagstick before spinning back down the fairway some 50 yards. Among the early starters, twice major champion Jon Rahm closed with a three-under 67 that was his best round of the week to reach four over. Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy also saved his best for last and carded a 67 to reach seven over. Pre-tournament favourite and world number one Scottie Scheffler, who began the final round eight shots off the lead, was one over through his first 11 holes. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
