‘Apologies to everyone’ – Crusaders feel the pain
Crusaders coach Rob Penney was moved to “apologise to everyone” after his side’s sorry season hit new lows on Saturday night in Dunedin.
Their 32-29 defeat at the hands of the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium was their ninth in 11 matches in 2024 – one more than the previous record of eight they suffered in their first season in 1996.
The Crusaders remain 11th on the ladder after the loss, and while they can still plot a course to the playoffs, that path has become increasingly narrow.
Former Crusader and Sky Sport commentator Justin Marshall tried to comfort Penney during their on-field interview, telling him: “Keep your head up. The franchise and the people are certainly behind you, and we appreciate your time.”
“I appreciate your messaging,” replied the coach, who now has a 7-23 record in Super Rugby, having previously gone 5-14 across a season and a bit with the Waratahs.
“Coming from you, that’s awesome, but there are some hurt boys in there. They’re not treating this lightly. We’ve had that week in, week out,” Penney said.
“The hurt’s there. The evidence just needs to be more obvious, for the supporters and the public to see that the boys are really willing to do what they need to do to get the outcome or the performance that we would love to have.
“I’d just apologise to everyone.” Crusaders captain Scott Barrett was ruled out of Saturday’s match with a back issue (see below) and might miss next Saturday’s trip to Canberra to face the thirdplaced Brumbies.
The Crusaders then finish their season by hosting the Blues – now sitting at the top of the table after their win over the Hurricanes on Saturday – and Moana Pasifika, who are level on points with them but sit in 10th place by virtue of their extra win.
The Fijian Drua are the team to catch in eighth on 17 points, two more than the ninth-placed Western Force, three more than the Crusaders and Moana Pasifika, and five more than the last-placed Waratahs. The Highlanders, in seventh on 23 points after Saturday’s win, and the Rebels, in sixth on 25 points, will feel more secure about their playoff chances, but also remain vulnerable to the chasing pack.