Crusaders mentioned that Rob Penney will stay head coach subsequent season, regardless of overseeing the Christchurch membership’s worst Tremendous Rugby marketing campaign in additional than 20 years.
The Crusaders had been ninth of 12 groups in Penney’s first season in cost and missed out on the playoffs after successful seven straight Tremendous Rugby titles as much as 2023 beneath Scott Robertson. It left 2024 as their worst season since ending tenth in 2001.
CEO Colin Mansbridge mentioned impartial evaluations of the season contributed to greater than 50 really useful modifications, however changing Penney was not amongst them.
“Rob’s bought the backing of the board and he’s bought the backing of the gamers,” Mansbridge mentioned on Thursday.
Crusaders misplaced key gamers Richie Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock to abroad golf equipment whereas enduring a depressing run of accidents.
“At a excessive stage, our worst consequence since 2001 created sleepless nights, little question about it,” mentioned Mansbridge who acknowledged followers’ frustrations.
“Ought to our followers be gutted about the place we ended up? Completely.”
Sacking the coaches “and throwing grenades right into a system which produced 14 championships over 26 years” could be like “killing the golden goose,” he added.
“I believe the story of the Crusaders within the last subsequent 12 months could be fairly excellent and that’s what we’re banking on.”
© Agence France-Presse
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