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Crusaders' crisis: Fans turn on Rob Penney amid abject run
By Ian Cameron
Crusaders’ head coach Rob Penney is under unprecedented scrutiny after the team’s latest defeat, marking their fifth consecutive loss in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season.
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This dismal start is a shocking departure from the Crusaders’ historical dominance in the competition, leaving fans and critics alike stunned. The latest setback came at the hands of arch-rivals the Blues, who handed them a 26-6 drubbing at Auckland’s Eden Park.
This series of losses has catapulted the Crusaders into unfamiliar territory, as they’ve never before opened a Super Rugby campaign with such a disappointing record.
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The pressure on Penney is intensifying, with a growing chorus of voices on social media speculating about his future with the team.
Having led teams like the Waratahs and Munster to mediocre effect in the past, Penney’s pedigree is in question and the current crisis has put his leadership under the microscope.
One irate Crusaders fan wrote: “Plenty injured I know but Rob Penney was never the guy to take the reins of this team. F***ng useless & about to go 0-10 in Super Rugby to prove it!”, while another observed: “With respect to Penney, You were a “GREAT PLAYER.” But your coaching strategy is not as good as your playing days. The Crusaders should ask Sir Gordon T’s the great 7’s coach to take over the job.”
Another displeased punter posted: “The Crusaders just look so clueless and directionless. So poorly coached, really poorly coached. The Crusader’s management need to tear up Penney’s contract.”
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One Munster fan wrote: “As a Munster fan, I’ve a soft spot for Rob Penney. He tried to introduce a different style to Munster. But this is not working…”
“End of a Dynasty for the Crusaders…,” wrote yet another. “They are gonna be lucky to make the playoffs this season.”
Another person wrote: “Rob Penney looks like he’s a little worried for his job,” while another recommended a replacement: ‘Rob Penney is a liability, send him to retirement like he deserves. No wonder the Tah’s dumped him.’
Given you only have to make the last eight to qualify for the playoffs in Super Rugby Pacific, others were a little more optimistic. “We’ve got good players who have the ability to win games. We’ve got a few injuries and lost a few greats but still fielded 8 ABs. Signs therefore point to a coaching issue. Not convinced on Rob Penney but hoping to be proved wrong.”
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A growing chorus on social media…… Oh dear!!!
I think the top 8 will be their current goal. Play it week to week and don’t look too far ahead. Get their injured players back in the next month hopefully, get them playing and see what happens during the playoffs. Not all the Crusaders title wins came easily. I really like the effort and intensity that they play with. They certainly haven’t given up. Sort out their lineout and distribution from first 5 and see a different team come playoffs.
Title win? Geez that would be right up there in historical sporting comebacks. The Blues were very average and left at least twenty points out there. The Hurricanes or Chiefs will win the comp with the Highlanders and Blues scrapping it out for next. Crusaders will be the Kiwi wooden spoon.
well it makes you wonder if something going badly at the crusaders with players not wanting to play for anyone other than scott robertson
You do realize there are at least 12 players out injured.You did check the team sheet last night ? Tom Christie only starting player left from last years final.
A poisoned chalice. Razor ran his AB s into the ground, failed to play for enough games the next layer of players leaving an experience vacuum; being so desperate to win yet another title. Much like Fergie at Man U in the fallout and similarly ambitious, with a stuff anything else attitude.
what rubbish. Razor was subject the the same rest policy every other coach was.
The ABs within any franchise get plenty of rest. Razor was entitled to play them when available. The Crusaders are famous for player development, but every empire falls. I thought at the time when Penney was appointed that it was a bad call and although there's still time to turn their season around it needs to happen now.
How many people are actually blaming Penney for this slump? Three noisy people on FB? I don’t know anyone who is surprised that they’re struggling.
Most of the country are blaming Penney and thats not surprising as he still has plenty of ABs and other talent to choose from so it is a little surprising they have managed to lose every game.
‘a growing chorus of voices on social media speculating about his future.’
Thanks for wasting my time.
No problem all the comments are merely stating the obvious. He hasn’t prepared well and the body language In the booth is barely palpable.