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Rob Penney's homecoming to the Crusaders franchise that said 'no thanks'

By Online Editors

29 Jan 2020

(Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)

NSW Waratahs coach Rob Penney concedes his side will need things to go their way and play “bloody well,” if he’s to enjoy a first-up Super Rugby win against a side coached by his former assistant.

A quirk of the draw means kiwi Penney returns to the South Island of New Zealand, where his coaching career really took off.

He won four successive national provincial titles with Canterbury, where one of his assistant coaches was Scott Robertson, who has coached the Crusaders to three straight Super titles.

“He’s been a great contributor to the teams he’s been involved with,” new boss Penney said of Robertson.

“He’s a great coach. He’s a really good thinker, a really good people person.”

Continue reading below…

Penney also applied for the Crusaders head coaching role – almost 10 years earlier – but missed out to Todd Blackadder.

Penney has selected a youthful NSW side in which Junior Wallabies backs Mark Nawaqanitawase and Will Harrison will each make their debuts against a team that has won 31 consecutive home games.

“We need a few things to go our way and obviously we need to play bloody well,” Penney said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B719pvgg1mZ/

“We probably need to play one of the best games that we’ve played in a while.

“They’ve got a hungry group, a group that has lost a wee bit of experience out of the core group, but they’ve still got the guts of a really strong unit.

“There’s a number of reasons why they’ll want to go well.

“Being at home, that record of 31 (straight home wins) they won’t be looking at that as a burden.

#BREAKING https://t.co/rw88hkI9Si #SuperRugby #BLUvCHI
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 29, 2020

“They will be looking at that like it is the wind at their back to drive them on to greater things, so we’ll need things to go our way.”

Penney isn’t expecting any special reception for his return.

“I don’t think there will be one really,” he said.

“There will be a few family and friends dressed in blue which will be lovely, but I think I’m irrelevant, really it’s about the game and the boys.”

– with AAP

Fiji fans feel new coach Vern Cotter is the right appointment to take them forward:

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Comments on RugbyPass

Icefarrow 12 minutes ago

2024 in review: Beauden Barrett’s brilliance sparks thrilling All Blacks win

Yeah, Perofeta's injury opened the door for Love to debut. Love's injury in NPC ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup matches, but Robertson saw potential in him, so he kept him around for the EOYT. However, Perofeta's recovery meant he could return, hence Love being played on the Wing.

Robertson's attitude was just pissing me off near the end of the year, with how he'd go around complimenting the new guys as if he'd always seen potential in them, despite only giving them a chance due to injuries.

4 Go to comments

SO 1 hour ago

Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

I would remove J Barrett from that list ofbacks with outstanding seasons

12 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I really enjoyed a couple of new locations this year. I think both stadiums crowds were pumping!?!

I said it to NB, but wasn't thinking of 3 match tours when I did (just the RC home/away games), and it would be even better to have a 5 week tour during the 6N right? Play a couple of warm ups against a SAmerican team and Jaguares, then 3 tests in a row?

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

What age do the kids come out of Varsity Cup, both the most talented and others that have to go all the way through?

They've tried it but I don't think their version of Currie Cup was ever able to sustain itself (if the CC does).

So you're not longer a primary Currie Cup fan? Can I ask when that changed?

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

In 2021, Daily Maverick crunched the numbers and found that upwards of 500 South Africans were playing professional rugby for foreign clubs around the world.

197 Go to comments

Cantab 1 hour ago

Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

It will happen. Watch for Hotham to become understudy to Roigard for instance. As the formerly tried & true depart there are always up & comers ready to fill the gap.

12 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

He said "if" Graham

if they had Japan type interest and Money

Its a lack of ability by SARU thats the problem. SA has plenty of wealth to be able to support it.

I think by wealth he meant rugby wise, at least that's how I read it, as he's clearly saying SA can't do it.

At least not on a big stage, it's relatively accessable to do things like inter varisty competitions, and your guys just took out a competition in Dubai? NZ does stuff like that but I don't get an excitement that their activities can ever amount to much. I'm sure theres a much different feeling of excitement within SA.

In saying that, that sort of thing is actually how they could make money too. But can they dictate things for themselves by forming an African league? That would require some wealthy individuals for sure. Personally I think they should be happy just being a part of someone else idea, or a mutual one, as it will still take the game there to the next level. You just won't get rich by doing it.

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Again, what's your point?

If it's anything to do with the discussion going on, I'll just say it's not going to happen in the future, as the Tuipulotu's aren't going to have grandparents from another country.

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Any your point is?

No one's begrudging them that. JWH just said it's not a great look for the game, and it isn't.

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

That's a bit of a naive statement Nick. Have a read of this article School boy contracting

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Whatya mean?

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

He included NZ in his point. They won't profit from it because it's now a 5 year residency requirement.

Are you arguing for that to return Nick? I think it would actually be great if kiwis could play for heritage countries like that and still remain eligible for the ABs. I don't think NZR arguing for that change is likely to happen, so it has to come from another means. The new Chairman?

197 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

When was the last time SA won a series in NZ (actually I was thinking about NZ in SA), or the RC? Was that the point you were trying to make?

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well said, the immediate situation is well in hand as all it would take is a little rigging. The real discussion is what happens after that, but I guess people just want to gossip about the short term.

197 Go to comments

JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Do you know how it's shared? Split over each URC team? Well said. The new club owners could spice things up right?