Latest news with #SuperRugbyPacific
The Star
13 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Super Rugby title earns Penney another year as Crusaders coach
(Reuters) -The Canterbury Crusaders have rewarded Rob Penney with another year as coach after he led them to the Super Rugby Pacific title in his second season in charge. The 61-year-old New Zealander endured a miserable first season as coach of the Christchurch team in 2024, when the now 15-times Super Rugby champions missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade with a 4-10 record. With a couple of key players back on the park after injury, however, Penney restored normal service in 2025 as the Crusaders finished second in the regular season standings before edging the Waikato Chiefs 16-12 in the playoff final. "I'm really excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to work with this great organisation and team again," Penney said in a news release. "This group is on the cusp of doing something pretty special again and I'm rapt to be a part of it." Chief Executive Colin Mansbridge said a consistent theme had emerged during the organisation's post-season review. "Rob comes from this real place of deep care, and I think that's felt by all of the players," he said. "The players talked about how much he cared for them and how he genuinely tried to do the best that he could for them." (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Straits Times
14 minutes ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Super Rugby title earns Penney another year as Crusaders coach
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Canterbury Crusaders have rewarded Rob Penney with another year as coach after he led them to the Super Rugby Pacific title in his second season in charge. The 61-year-old New Zealander endured a miserable first season as coach of the Christchurch team in 2024, when the now 15-times Super Rugby champions missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade with a 4-10 record. With a couple of key players back on the park after injury, however, Penney restored normal service in 2025 as the Crusaders finished second in the regular season standings before edging the Waikato Chiefs 16-12 in the playoff final. "I'm really excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to work with this great organisation and team again," Penney said in a news release. "This group is on the cusp of doing something pretty special again and I'm rapt to be a part of it." Chief Executive Colin Mansbridge said a consistent theme had emerged during the organisation's post-season review. "Rob comes from this real place of deep care, and I think that's felt by all of the players," he said. "The players talked about how much he cared for them and how he genuinely tried to do the best that he could for them." REUTERS
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 28 July
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa scores a try for the ACT Brumbies. Photo: Photosport Former Wallaby Issak Fines-Leleiwasa is joining the Fijian Drua for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. Fines-Leleiwasa has featured for the Western Force in the past three years and had declared his intentions to play for Fiji, with his three-year international stand-down period coming to an end in October 2026. The 29-year-old made his Wallabies debut against France in 2023. He is eligible to play for Fiji through his Fijian-born father. The first eight teams to compete in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Professional League, due to kick off in January 2026, will be announced next month. OFC said its club licensing committee will review the assessments and recommend the successful applicants to the OFC executive committee for their decision. There are 13 clubs in the running, with four out of New Zealand, two each from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, plus one club each from Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu. OFC professional league manager Stuart Larman said the the clubs have all worked hard to meet the requirements of the club licensing regulations. Tonga National Rugby League is seeking a new women's coach for the Pacific Championships. The person will take care of Tonga in their Pacific Cup fixtures against Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea, in October and November. Applications close on 1 August. Meanwhile, Melbourne Storm assistant coach Ryan Hinchcliffe will join Toa Samoa's head coach Ben Gardiner as an assistant for the men's Pacific Cup. Toa Samoa will meet Tonga and New Zealand in the competition. Fiji's under-20 men's rugby team will be part of the expanded World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2026, scheduled to be hosted by Georgia. World Rugby announced the prestigious age-grade tournament has been expanded from the current 12 teams to 16 next year. Fiji, as the Oceania champion, will join hosts Georgia as well as USA, Japan and Uruguay at the event. World Rugby's Nigel Cass said the expansion is a significant step forward in the mission to enhance global competitiveness and provide more young players with the opportunity to shine on the international stage. The Vanuatu Judo Federation says they need government to invest in judo development, especially securing proper training facilities. VJF Vice President Nazario said a lot more success would be achieved with proper judo facilities or dojo. Vanuatu Daily Post reported the Vanuatu judo team, who trained without proper facilities, returned from the Pacific Mini Games in Palau with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Nazario said a lot of young athletes are taking up judo and a proper training facility is needed to better prepare judokas for upcoming tournaments. Fiji is to host two major futsal tournaments later this year. Oceania Football said the OFC Futsal Men's Cup will be held in Suva in September - after the tournament was moved from Solomon Islands. The OFC said the decision was made with member associations, considering the logistics of hosting the competition in Honiara. Fiji will also host the Futsal Men's Champions League, in late November, in Suva.
1News
3 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
Former All Black joins Wallabies coaching ranks
Former All Black lock Tom Donnelly has joined the Wallabies coaching staff ahead of the Rugby Championship. Donnelly replaces outgoing assistant coach Geoff Parling, who will return to the UK after next week's third and final Test against the British & Irish Lions. He played 15 Tests for the All Blacks, close to 100 Super Rugby matches, and three seasons in France before he moved into coaching. The 43-year-old was with the Western Force for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season and was previously an assistant coach at the Highlanders. Donnelly said he was honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to the Australian national side. ADVERTISEMENT "Watching from afar, the journey the team is on and the improvement they are making is exciting. I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and doing my part to continue the ongoing growth of the team." Rugby Australia high performance director Peter Horne said Donnelly's expertise around the lineout and set piece would be "highly valuable" for the Wallabies. "He's got a great understanding of the current Super Rugby Pacific landscape as well as experience playing at the highest level which makes him a great fit for the role."
1News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- 1News
All Blacks midfielder re-commits to NZ Rugby, confirms sabbatical
All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown has extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2028 and has confirmed he will take a sabbatical in Japan next year. Lienert-Brown, who has played 86 Tests and scored a try in the recent win over France in Hamilton, said this year had been a tough one due to injuries and he was pleased to secure his short-term future. A broken collarbone suffered while playing for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific meant he was out of the game for nearly three months – his comeback match was a start for the All Blacks in their 29-19 victory over France in the third Test. "I'm excited to re-commit to New Zealand Rugby through to 2028," Lienert-Brown, 30, said in a statement. "This year's been frustrating with injuries outside of my control but pulling on the black jersey again last Saturday reminded me just how special this journey really is." ADVERTISEMENT As revealed by 1News in April, Lienert-Brown will activate a sabbatical clause in his contract and play for Kobe Steelers next year. Fellow senior All Black Ardie Savea, who captained the team in the absence of Scott Barrett during the past two Tests, has since announced he will also play a sabbatical season at Kobe next year alongside former All Black Brodie Retallick. Anton Lienert-Brown scores a crucial try for the All Blacks before halftime against France. (Source: Photosport) Leinert-Brown and Savea will return to New Zealand in time to be available for next July's home internationals. Fellow midfielder or wing Rieko Ioane will also take a sabbatical next year to play for Leinster with a view to returning in time to play for the All Blacks. All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said: "Anton is a true professional and a player who embodies the values of the All Blacks jersey. "His experience, composure, and clarity in the midfield are hugely valuable. He's overcome injury setbacks in recent years and has shown real resilience. We're thrilled to have him locked in through to 2028. The experience he'll gain in Japan will only enhance his game and leadership." ADVERTISEMENT Robertson will hope Lienert-Brown returns with the same sort of form as Jordie Barrett after the midfielder's own recent sabbatical at Leinster in Ireland. NZR general manager professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said: 'Anton's loyalty, work ethic and consistency have been hallmarks of his career at every level and we are delighted he has chosen to extend through to a potential third Rugby World Cup campaign." Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes said: "Anton is a massive asset to the Gallagher Chiefs, and this sabbatical is a great opportunity for him to experience a different rugby environment and learn from a new playing style. I look forward to seeing how this experience shapes him as a player and what he brings back to the team."
