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Running It Straight: 6pm Tuesdays'Hammer and tong': Penney's Crusaders fire back against Chiefs
Kieran Bingham • March 2nd, 2026 5:38 pm
Rob Penney | Photo: Photosport
It was a shaky start to the 2026 Super Rugby season for the Crusaders. Winless after two games, they headed to the Waikato for a 2025 Grand Final rematch with the unbeaten Chiefs. Pressure was firmly on.
Coming off losses to the Highlanders and Brumbies, coach Rob Penney admitted the tension was palpable.
“There was a little bit of an edge to the weekend and understandably and justifiably I would say you'd be disappointed if there wasn't,” he told Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy.
The Crusaders’ start was rocky, trailing 14-0 inside the first 10 minutes - but Penney’s confidence never wavered.
“We're blessed with the talent we've got. They were very measured and very calm. We hadn't done anything positive up until that stage, but the confidence was still there that it was going to come.”
And come it did. The visitors stormed back to score 36 unanswered points, sending a clear message that they are still very much in title contention.
“You've got to prepare really well, you've got to be meticulous and the boys' mindset needs to be right on because you don't have to be too far off to get stung,” Penney said.
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The weekend showdown was a showcase of top-tier rugby, a real Kiwi derby in every sense.
“That game was a reflexion of two really good sides going hammer and tong. It's an amazing atmosphere and it's quality footy. It is the best of the best going at each other and that's what makes it so exciting," he added.
Not everything went smoothly, however. Chiefs prop Jared Proffit tipped David Havili upside down for no apparent reason, escaping with just a penalty. Penney admitted the outcome surprised him.
“I've probably got to be a bit careful what I say. I'm not sure what the boundaries are, but if we're talking about health and safety, player welfare is right at the top of the list. I can't imagine why that wasn't looked at more cheaply.”
The Crusaders used their four-hour post-match window to request a review.
“My view was that it was significant enough. Anyone looking at it in any detail would hopefully raise an alarm bell and there should have been a bit more of a process given to it. We didn't take it any further on the expectation that it would have been.”
Despite the gritty moments, the result was a statement - the Crusaders are back.
“These boys care. Our boys care deeply about the state of performance, they care deeply about representing the province to the standard that is expected, they care deeply what the supporters think and they care deeply for each other.”
After a nervy start, the defending champs showed they're ready to defend their crown.
Listen to the full interview:
