Super Rugby winner Penney tight lipped on Crusaders coaching future

Canterbury Crusaders coach Rob Penney refused to be drawn on his future at the teams helm after leading his side to the Super Rugby Pacific title with victory over the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday.

Penneys side sealed a 16-12 win in a tense clash in Christchurch to earn the Crusaders a record-extending 15th Super Rugby title, but the 61-year-old gave no indication whether he would return for a third season in charge.

Not just yet, said Penney told a press conference after Saturdays match, when asked if he had made a decision on his future.

You wouldnt want to work anywhere else. Im never going to work anywhere else in the industry. Ill just take time to see what falls out of the (end of season) review.

The Crusaders Super Rugby title win marked a significant turnaround after the struggles of 2024, when the team missed out on the playoffs at the end of Penneys first season in charge.

Despite that failure, management decided to stick by the former New South Wales Waratahs coach and Penney delivered, with the Crusaders finishing second in the regular season standings behind the Chiefs.

His side then went on to extend their remarkable run of success on home soil, winning a 32nd consecutive playoff match in Christchurch to reclaim the trophy once more.

Winnings fantastic, said Penney.

Last year we had some hiccups and some things that didnt go well for us. This year weve been on the other side of the ledger.

Weve had some calls that have gone for us and weve had some injured boys available a lot. Small margins. At the business end the right people know how to do the right things and that was evident today.

Theres some people here that were contributing today that are going to