'Good men doing great work': Rob Penney credits leadership group in latest victory

After 11 rounds of Super Rugby Pacific 2025, the Chiefs sit top of the table only ahead of the Crusaders on points differential, as both teams sit eight points in front of the third-placed Brumbies.

Rob Penney’s Crusaders enjoyed a comfortable 43-10 victory over the Highlanders on Saturday evening in Dunedin.

An impressive performance from All Blacks back Will Jordan helped the Christchurch-based side overcome their southern rivals.

All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor also scored a double for the Crusaders, in a game he was also yellow carded in during the first half.

Despite the comfortable victory in Dunedin, Penney will be worried about his first five Taha Kemara, who has been a consistent selection in the starting side this season, after a knee injury in the first ten minutes of the game on Saturday.

When asked about why the Crusaders’ attack has been flowing so well, Penney was quick to praise his assistant coaches.

“James Marshall and Brad Mooar have done a tremendous job, along with the leadership group, of creating a framework for us to unleash the talent that we do have and to build confidence in it,” Penney said post-match to media in Dunedin.

“It’s exciting to watch.”

Penney credits the Crusaders’ turnaround this season to a collective effort, saying everyone in the squad has stepped up.

“Just good men doing great work, simple as that really, we’ve got access to a really talented roster. Everyone’s working hard to keep them available for selection often, and lots of really good stuff is happening, and we’re reaping the rewards from it.”

Although Kemara left the field with a worrying knee injury, Crusaders reserve playmaker Rivez Reihana was sharp in his first appearance in recent weeks, something Penney credits to the 24-year-old’s hard work in recovery.

“Just so pleased with Rivez in his performance, he’s been out for a while, and had a horrific injury at the start of the campaign so for him to come in and swap in so seamlessly, as you say, was a credit to him and a credit to the work that’s been done behind the scenes with him by some really good people.”

With the Crusaders going into the bye after three straight New Zealand derbies, Penney is pleased with where his side stands but isn’t looking too far ahead, just yet.

“We really haven’t looked too far outside our little bubble at the moment, to be honest, we’re just trying to go week to week, and we’ll let the boys celebrate a tremendous victory today, because it’s tough down here, and the Highlanders were up for the challenge as they always are against anybody in red and black.

“We’ve had a tremendous eight weeks since the last little break, and we’ve had three derby games in a row. We’re starting to feel as though the bye has come at a tremendous time for us to freshen up.

“David (Havili) does a great job of leading the physical needs aspect and ensuring that we’re not pushing too hard and we’re getting what we need, but also getting an opportunity to freshen the minds and the bodies.”