Rob Penny feels his first season as Crusaders coach has been tough. (Kai Schwerer/Getty Images)
- The Crusaders appear to be in a difficult situation under new manager Rob Penney.
- The Crusaders, who dominated Super Rugby under coach Scott Robertson, are at the bottom of the 12 teams this season with just one win from eight games.
- However, the club's CEO Colin Mansbridge said Penny would not be fired yet.
- For more rugby news, check out our dedicated section.
The Crusaders' chief executive on Tuesday rejected “childish” calls to sack coach Rob Penny as the defending champions sit at the bottom of Super Rugby.
The New Zealand franchise has dominated Super Rugby for the past decade, winning the title seven times in a row.
super rugby table
However, under new coach Penny, who was brought in this season to replace Scott Robertson from the All Blacks, the Crusaders have won just one of their opening eight games.
Chief executive Colin Mansbridge said it made no sense to sack Mr Penney, who was sacked from his Super Rugby coaching position with the New South Wales Waratahs in 2021.
“When you think about it logically, what are the options? That's not a very smart option, no matter how bad the situation is,” he told local broadcaster Newstalk ZB.
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Mansbridge said he accepts criticism from fans because “they're emotional.”
“But from the commentator’s perspective, I think that’s childish, frankly.
“When you see these things happening overseas, you don't see performance improvement. That's the fact,” he added.
“There will be exceptions that prove the rule, but generally it will make no difference and, in fact, it will probably make things worse.”
