This year’s Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final will have an odd feel to it as it marks the rare occasion when the competition’s perennial champions, the Crusaders, are not competing in the playoffs.
The Christchurch-based team won seven consecutive Super Rugby titles from 2017 to 2023 under the guidance of former head coach Scott Robertson, who subsequently took over as the All Blacks coaching staff.
However, things did not look good for the Crusaders in 2024, as they struggled across Super Rugby Pacific, ultimately winning just four of their 14 games and losing the remaining 10.
It means it’s the first time since 2015 that they have failed to reach the playoffs and only the fifth time since the inaugural Super Rugby season in 1996 that they have failed to reach the knockout stages.
Rebellious Head Coach
Current head coach Rob Penney was adamant before the 29-27 win over the Blues in Christchurch that he had no plans to step down despite his team’s overall poor performance in 2024.
Penny’s team thought they had done enough to secure eighth place in this year’s competition after beating Moana Pacifica 43-10 at home on Friday.
But they will wait nervously to see what happens when Fiji’s Drua take on the Rebels in Lautoka on Saturday. Drua was eighth in the standings before the final round match, while the Rebels were seventh and had already qualified for the playoffs.
In the end, Dhurua won 40-19 and swapped places with the Rebels. Both teams scored 26 points, but the Melbourne-based outfit dropped to eighth place due to the home team’s higher number of wins and superior points difference.
So what happens now for the Crusaders? Despite Penny’s defiance, the Crusaders have set a high standard over the years, but in 2024 they are far from meeting it, so Penny’s position must be in jeopardy.
All Blacks stars shine as Crusaders overwhelm Moana Pasifika to keep Super Rugby Pacific play-off hopes alive
💔Thank you to everyone who joined us.
Ma pango ma wero. Ka oti te mahi. pic.twitter.com/rS5714QZUz
— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) June 1, 2024
On Saturday, after the end of the season was confirmed, they released a statement on their official website saying: “The Crusaders 2024 season has now concluded. Congratulations to all teams who have progressed to the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs.”
“Regardless of the result or ranking, we are proud of our team, the club and the hard work that has been put in across the organisation to achieve this season.
“Many results did not go our way and at times our performance on the field was not at the expected level. Naturally, we are all disappointed and will reflect seriously on why we lost the games and what we could have done to win those games that made the difference. Small margins determine results and rankings and we have lost six games by less than seven points.
“One of the main reasons we’ve been able to win the last seven Super Rugby titles, and 14 since 1996, is because we play for each other, represent a proud South Island rugby region and work for a cause bigger than ourselves.
Conduct a “complete performance review”
“Of course, there is work to do to improve and come back even stronger. As always, we are now conducting a full performance review – a chance to discuss what went well, what didn’t go well and where there is room for improvement.”
“Our reviews are performance focused and we will not make any rash decisions. We want our teams and organisations to operate to the standards we expect and will look at any opportunities we can improve.”
“We will review every aspect of our environment. All players and coaches will be surveyed and some players will participate in feedback workshops. Reviews typically yield insights that we may not share broadly, but may be visible in the results. We look to learn lessons from them and improve how we operate leading up to the 2025 season.”
It remains to be seen whether Penney will remain in his position following the review.
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