Learning, growing and bouncing back: The Crusaders set their eyes on the Brumbies
After a tough opening‑round loss, the Crusaders have spent the start of the week doing what this team has always done best: looking inward, learning fast and moving forward with purpose.
Head Coach Rob Penney speaks openly about the response since Friday night, describing a review that was honest, player‑driven and exactly what the group needed.
“It was a really robust and accurate reflection of where we were at on Friday and where we need to grow,” Penney says.
“We’re not dwelling. It was an opportunity to learn some stuff about ourselves, and we’ve grabbed those.”
The loss stung, but it’s also sparked something. Instead of frustration, there’s a quiet determination pulsing through the group, and a sense that the best response is always action.
Penney explains that the coaching group didn’t shy away from taking responsibility either.
“We always look in the mirror first. Collectively, we could have done some things a little differently, but it is what it is. We’ve got to look forward now and take what we learned into the game we’ve got at home on Sunday.”
There’s no panic, no drastic selection overhauls, just trust in the group, belief in the work and confidence that the combinations will continue to grow.
“It is very early,” Penney says.
“The players don’t make those errors deliberately, sometimes it’s just rustiness. We trust them implicitly. More than likely, they’ll get another opportunity.”
But learning from last week is only half the story. What comes next is a Brumbies team riding high after an impressive first‑round win in Perth. Penney is under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
“They’re a big, tough group of forwards, highly skilled. Their back three are extremely dangerous and their nine and ten guide them really well,” he says.
“They’re a pretty complete side and the history between the two organisations goes deep. It’ll be a real humdinger.”
Sunday also holds weight for another reason. It marks 15 years since the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, a tragedy that changed our city and our region forever.
“It’s important that we honour that tragic event with the respect it’s due,” he says.
“Some of the crews who were involved will be at the game, and the best thing the boys can do to honour that is play really well.”
After a week of reflection, hard work and honest conversations, we're ready to respond, ready to reconnect with their home crowd and ready to show the steps forward they’ve taken since Friday night.
A loss doesn’t define this group, the response does. And this week, that response will be seen on Sunday afternoon at Apollo Projects Stadium.