'I'm not sure yet': Coach Rob Penney weighs future with Super Rugby champions Crusaders

Rob Penney says he’s “not sure yet” if he’ll seek to continue as head coach of the Canterbury Crusaders, despite leading the team to a remarkable Super Rugby championship victory on Saturday.

After a disappointing 2024 campaign in which the Crusaders missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years - losing 10 of 14 matches - Penney found redemption in 2025, guiding the side to a gritty 16-12 win over the Waikato Chiefs in Christchurch and delivering the franchise its 15th title.



The veteran coach, who was retained for the second year of his contract despite heavy criticism, remained noncommittal about his future post-match. "I’m not sure yet," he told reporters, adding that he’ll reflect on the season before making a decision.


Penney, a former head coach of the NSW Waratahs and Irish club Munster, expressed gratitude toward Crusaders management for standing by him during a turbulent first year.

"It would have been easy for them to tip me out, and they didn’t. So in some way, I’ve repaid a little bit of that faith," he said.


He credited the turnaround to better player availability and crucial moments going their way this season. "If we got to the business end, I knew the right people would do the right things - and that was evident," Penney said.

Penney had succeeded Scott Robertson, who won seven consecutive titles before taking over as head coach of the All Blacks.