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Rob Penney, sacked by the Waratahs midway through the 2021 season after five straight losses, will return to Super Rugby as a replacement for the competition’s most successful coach.
Penney returns to his roots in Canterbury and will take over from All Blacks bound Scott Robertson after this campaign.
Under Penney, NSW won just five of 19 matches (26 per cent) and he was let go after five straight losses in 2021.
“I’m excited and honoured to have been selected to lead the coaching group at the Crusaders from 2024 onwards,” Penney said in a statement on Tuesday.
He coached the NSW Waratahs from 2019 through to 2021 during a tumultuous time for the club and is currently head coach for the Japan U20 side who will play at the World Cup in South Africa in June.
“The Crusaders franchise has a strong history and record of success and excellence, both in on-field performance and off-field culture, and I’m excited to immerse myself into the environment,” Penney said.
Penney played more than 100 games for Canterbury before retiring in 1994.
Rob Penney. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
He was assistant coach with the Crusaders in 2005 when they won the Super Rugby title and went on to lead Canterbury to four ITM Cup titles in a row between 2008-2011 – with Scott Robertson as one of his assistants.
He was head coach of the New Zealand U20 side in 2012 before taking over as head coach at prestigious Irish club Munster where he led the side to the semi-finals of the European Cup in 2013/2014. He left Ireland in 2014 to take up a three-year deal with the NTT Shining Arcs in Japan.
“While I’m excited to get started, my focus for now remains firmly with the Japan U20 side. I’ve loved watching the Crusaders this season and will be tuning in to watch the boys as they chase the title once again,” Penney said.
Grant Jarrold, Crusaders Board Chairman, said Penney stood out from other candidates for his experience, his maturity, and his back-to-back success record.
“Rob impressed us with his leadership qualities, his experience, and his proven ability to innovate on and off the field,” Jarrold said.
“Our existing coaching group is experienced and has an intricate understanding of the Crusaders way. As a board, we are excited about Rob’s ability to add to this group and guide both our coaches and our playing group to success.”
Rob Penney will join the Crusaders from 1 August.
Crusaders coaching group for 2024:
Rob Penney
Tamati Ellison
Dan Perrin
James Marshall
Matt Todd
.
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