As the Crusaders prepare to enter a landmark season—thirty years of legacy and a new home at One New Zealand Stadium—Rob Penney isn’t talking about trophies. He’s talking about people. 

“It’s deeply ingrained,” he says of his connection to the red and black. Penney’s history with Canterbury rugby stretches back decades, and that sense of belonging shapes everything he does. “The people here make it easy to care because they care,” he says. “You see it in every corner of the place.” 

That culture—quiet, committed, and collective—is what Penney believes sets the Crusaders apart. It’s not just about what happens on the field. It’s about how the group shows up every day, how they respond to challenge, and how they grow together. “We’re starting from a different platform,” he says. “It takes time to build the relationships and the synergy you need, and we’re getting there.” 

The past season was a turning point. After a tough year prior, the team found its rhythm again—not through shortcuts, but through hard work and belief. Penney doesn’t dwell on the lows. He’s more interested in what they revealed: resilience, trust, and a shared hunger to be better. 

Now, with the off-season in motion, Penney is focused on the build. The coaching group is aligned, the playing roster is strong, and the foundations are solid. “We’ve got better in us,” he says. “And the exciting part is finding where that is.” 

He’s not chasing headlines. He’s chasing cohesion. The kind that shows up in the way players train, the way staff collaborate, and the way the club connects with its community. “It’s going to be a special year,” he says. “Not just because of the stadium, but because of the people inside it.” 

For Penney, the reward isn’t in the result—it’s in the process. In the satisfaction of a job well done. In the pride of a region that never stopped believing. 

Bring on 2026.