Latest news with #RobPenney
France 24
5 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Crusaders seek to rebuild dynasty as Super Rugby finals begin
The Christchurch-based Crusaders won seven straight titles under head coach Scott Robertson but endured a torrid season last year after he left to take charge of the All Blacks. The Crusaders won only four games and failed to make the playoffs under new mentor Rob Penney. A year on, the Crusaders finished in second place, giving them home advantage against the Reds as they seek a semi-finals berth. The Crusaders have won 13 of their past 14 matches against the Reds, and three of four finals matches between the two teams. When the sides met earlier this year in round four, the Crusaders won 43-19. Waikato Chiefs finished top and they face the defending champions Auckland Blues in Hamilton on Saturday knowing -- win or lose -- they are guaranteed to make the semi-finals. As the number one ranked side, they have a guaranteed lifeline in a revamped finals system that sees the round's three winners, and the highest seeded loser progress to the final four. The Chiefs were by far the best side during the regular season, winning matches by an average of more than 24 points per game. Coach Clayton McMillan will leave the Chiefs after the final as he heads to Ireland to coach Munster. The Chiefs are looking to recapture their glory days of 2012 and 2013 when they won back-to-back titles, having lost in the final three times since -- including last year to the Blues. The Auckland side only just scraped into the playoffs on the final weekend and were well beaten by the Chiefs twice during the regular season. The final play-off on Saturday sees Wellington Hurricanes travel to Canberra to face the third-seeded ACT Brumbies. The Hurricanes are undefeated in their last six Super Rugby matches, coming from behind at half-time in three of those matches.
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Crusaders lose Scott Barrett but determined to avoid 'banana skin' defeat
Scott Barrett scores a try during the Crusaders v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress Crusaders vs Waratahs Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday 16 May Allianz Stadium, Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport The Crusaders are missing their skipper and All Blacks front rowers Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell but they're confident they can get back to winning ways. All Blacks captain Scott Barrett and Newell are injured, while Taylor is being rested from a Crusaders side already without All Blacks Will Jordan and Ethan Blackadder. Codie Taylor of the Crusaders scores a try. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 The race to be Super Rugby's top qualifier is now well and truly on, with the Crusaders, Brumbies and Chiefs seemingly in a three way battle for first place and home advantage in the playoffs. The Crusaders have three games left, while the Chiefs and Brumbies have two each. The third placed Crusaders take on the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night knowing that a bonus point win would take them to the top of the standings. A win without a bonus point would take them level with the Chiefs, who have a bye this weekend. Crusaders coach Rob Penney said they learnt a lot from the 35-19 defeat to the Chiefs in Christchurch. "Our game management was a bit sloppy, particularly in the second half," Penney said. "We did such a good job in the first half and we went away from it a little bit in the second half. Number of reasons for that. We've had a great review, got great alignment. "The coaches have done a great job of the reset heading into the Waratahs because we'll need to be good over there." Teddy Wilson of the Waratahs scores a try. Photo: Dean Lewins/Photosport Penney believes the eighth placed Waratahs will be dangerous. "They're the best team when at home. They have a great record there. They've struggled away, but dangerous at home. We're excited about that challenge," Penney said. The Waratahs have had more success than any other Australian side against the Crusaders in recent times, beating them three times since 2017, the most recent last season. All of those wins were in Australia. "They get up (for matches against the Crusaders), they love the challenge of playing one of the best teams in the world and they consistently get up for that game," Penney said. "They've been massively difficult for every Crusaders team they have played, whether it's been here or over there. They're a dangerous proposition if we're not in the right space. Short turnaround, travel, there's a lot of little banana skins that we've got to be wary of." Penney said the Crusaders have focused on ending matches strongly after a tough second half against the Chiefs. "In any sport you want to be on the front foot early and get your game going. You could have said last week we got that underway pretty well and then folded, which has been a bit of a challenge for us, finishing properly. "We want to start well and end well and have a great middle. That's our challenge this week."
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Crusaders 'rapt' to have Barrett back, Drummond set for milestone
Scott Barrett. Photo: Photosport / Jeremy Ward Scott Barrett is back for the Crusaders as they brace to take on a Highlanders side with nothing to lose. The All Blacks skipper missed last week's win over the Waratahs in Sydney but returns at lock for the third-placed Crusaders, who sit level on points with the second-placed Chiefs and just two points behind the table-topping Brumbies, with two rounds remaining. If the Crusaders can win both matches they'll give themselves a good shot at qualifying top for the finals, and coach Rob Penney is chuffed to have Barrett back for Friday night's clash with their southern rivals. "He's like a young kid in a lolly shop," Penney said. "Just his energy this week has been incredible. What a man. We're rapt to have him back." Scott Barrett. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Despite being last in the standings, the Highlanders still have a mathematical chance of making the playoffs. However, they need bonus point wins against both the Crusaders and the Chiefs and plenty of other results to go their way to finish in the top six. They will also need Moana Pasifika to lose both their games against the Chiefs and the Hurricanes. Despite the odds, Penney believes the visitors will get up for Friday's match. Photo: Marty Melville/Actionpress He said the Highlanders' narrow loss to the Hurricanes last week in Wellington was a timely reminder of what they're capable of. "Without a doubt. They're a quality group. They haven't had the results that they would like and many predicted that they would have had, but that won't mean they'll turn up here any less motivated to do a job on us." The Crusaders are favourites and rightly so, after crushing the Highlanders 43-10 in Dunedin in April. However, Penney is adamant the visitors won't be easy to beat. "Last time we played them a few weeks ago, the rivalry remained strong and they would reflect on a victory on Friday night at our home ground with a lot of pride in resurrecting some of their season from doing that. It'll be a real challenge for us." Friday night's match will be Mitchell Drummond's 50th for the Crusaders, and Penney was happy to hand the halfback a rare start. "Very special. He epitomises what a crusader is thoroughly," Penney said. "Team first, work ethic, and his ability to get people connected is renowned. It's an honour and a privilege for us to be able to provide this opportunity for him to get out in front of his family and fans to celebrate." It's a pretty unique club he's in. One hundred club appearances for his province and 50 appearances for his Super Rugby team is pretty unique. "It just reflects the special character he is. It's a hard job that he's doing. You don't play 50 games and not be a competitive beast and have a desire to contribute when the team's on the field." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
David Havili signs on for another two years with Crusaders
David Havili of the Crusaders Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Crusaders captain David Havili has re-signed with the Super Rugby Pacific club for another two years In his 10th season with the club, Havili said there were a number of reasons for him staying. "I've really enjoyed the opportunity to lead the boys this year and the success we've had. I'm so glad to have signed on for another couple of years and keep this train rolling," he said. The 30-year-old, who has played 30 games for the All Blacks, is closing in on 150 games for the Crusaders. "Reaching that milestone and playing 150 games for this club will be pretty special," he said. Havili first joined the Crusaders in 2015 and was named Crusaders Player of Year in 2017. Head Coach Rob Penney said Havili a key part of the glue that holds the Crusaders together. "His DNA is red and black and he's such a committed member of this organisation. The leadership he's provided to the club has been really valuable and it's wonderful to have him and all his experience in the organisation for another two years," Penney said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Crusaders lose captain Scott Barrett but determined to avoid 'banana skin' defeat
Scott Barrett scores a try during the Crusaders v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress Crusaders vs Waratahs Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday 16 May Allianz Stadium, Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport The Crusaders are missing their skipper and All Blacks front rowers Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell but they're confident they can get back to winning ways. All Blacks captain Scott Barrett and Newell are injured, while Taylor is being rested from a Crusaders side already without All Blacks Will Jordan and Ethan Blackadder. Codie Taylor of the Crusaders scores a try. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 The race to be Super Rugby's top qualifier is now well and truly on, with the Crusaders, Brumbies and Chiefs seemingly in a three way battle for first place and home advantage in the playoffs. The Crusaders have three games left, while the Chiefs and Brumbies have two each. The third placed Crusaders take on the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night knowing that a bonus point win would take them to the top of the standings. A win without a bonus point would take them level with the Chiefs, who have a bye this weekend. Crusaders coach Rob Penney said they learnt a lot from the 35-19 defeat to the Chiefs in Christchurch. "Our game management was a bit sloppy, particularly in the second half," Penney said. "We did such a good job in the first half and we went away from it a little bit in the second half. Number of reasons for that. We've had a great review, got great alignment. "The coaches have done a great job of the reset heading into the Waratahs because we'll need to be good over there." Teddy Wilson of the Waratahs scores a try. Photo: Dean Lewins/Photosport Penney believes the eighth placed Waratahs will be dangerous. "They're the best team when at home. They have a great record there. They've struggled away, but dangerous at home. We're excited about that challenge," Penney said. The Waratahs have had more success than any other Australian side against the Crusaders in recent times, beating them three times since 2017, the most recent last season. All of those wins were in Australia. "They get up (for matches against the Crusaders), they love the challenge of playing one of the best teams in the world and they consistently get up for that game," Penney said. "They've been massively difficult for every Crusaders team they have played, whether it's been here or over there. They're a dangerous proposition if we're not in the right space. Short turnaround, travel, there's a lot of little banana skins that we've got to be wary of." Penney said the Crusaders have focused on ending matches strongly after a tough second half against the Chiefs. "In any sport you want to be on the front foot early and get your game going. You could have said last week we got that underway pretty well and then folded, which has been a bit of a challenge for us, finishing properly. "We want to start well and end well and have a great middle. That's our challenge this week."
