Super Rugby Pacific: Scott Hansen replaces Rob Penney as Crusaders coach in 2027
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Scott Hansen will be the next Crusaders head coach, starting a three-year deal in 2027.
Rob Penney will leave club after three seasons in charge, which includes a Super Rugby title last season.
Hansen was an All Blacks assistant coach under Scott Robertson but not retained by new coach Dave Rennie.
Scott Hansen would have been preparing for another All Blacks campaign if all had gone to plan.
Instead, not retained by new coach Dave Rennie, he stood at the Crusaders’ Rugby Park headquarters on Wednesday morning and was introduced as the franchise’s new head coach.
Hansen wasn’t out of a job for long.
His appointment on a three-year deal from 2027 might surprise some people, given the 50-year-old was linked to unfavourable player feedback in some circles when Scott Robertson was sacked as All Blacks coach in January.
However, Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge rejected that suggestion when asked if he sought information regarding Hansen’s review during the appointment process.
“I know personally that the player feedback, and feedback from some of the other management, about Scott is he's an exceptional coach. He's world leading, is sort of the unanimous feedback coming through from players,” he said.
“I think the non-retention in the All Blacks job, a bit of a narrative can emerge, and people can put two and two together and get seven. I can assure you there are players now that still speak to Scott about coaching. Exceptional feedback.”
The former halfback will replace Rob Penney, who bounced back from a forgettable 2024 in the hot seat to lead the Crusaders to the title last year, prompting the franchise to extend his contract by one year.
Having initially signed a two-year deal ahead of the 2024 season, Penney informed Mansbridge a couple of months ago that he would step down at the conclusion of this season.
In a statement, Penney called it a ‘honour of a lifetime’ to coach the Crusaders, but he was a man of few words when speaking to media on Wednesday morning, other than to say he would have preferred the news landed at the end of the season.
That was the Crusaders’ plan, but a NZ Herald report on Tuesday forced their hand ahead of the team’s regular season finale on Friday, against the Hurricanes in Christchurch, and their quest to win a ninth title in 10 years.
“I think it's a slight distraction, but I'm really confident that for the rest of this campaign that the focus is sharp,” Mansbridge said.
Hansen also spoke to media for the first time since losing his All Blacks assistant coaching role.
He used the words ‘privileged, honoured and excited’ when describing his return to the Crusaders as head coach, having worked as an assistant under Robertson between 2020-2023.
“Adversity, struggle, build you, So, I just took the stance where players go through adversity, they miss out on things. So you make sure you handle it well, too, to represent what you'd expect from your players. No different really for me, it's been a good learning opportunity,” he said of the last few months.
“There'll be some more currents or waves in the future. It's just footy, that's life, it's a struggle. It's tough times out there, and I'm understanding of that, I'm excited for the future.
“I've had some outstanding care around me and we learn and we grow.”
Hansen declined to discuss the All Blacks review, instead promising to address it down the line.
He starts in his new role in August, and will do so knowing gun pivot Richie Mo’unga will be back with the Crusaders in 2027 after three years in Japan.
Mo’unga and Hansen go back to club rugby days in Linwood, where Hansen has been helping out in recent months.
“Great for New Zealand Rugby, great for the Crusaders. But I will also say we've got some outstanding talent here already. You look at Taha [Kemara] and Rivez [Reihana] and the great work they are doing around the 10 role. Richie will have to come back and compete. He'll know that, he will know how I stand on those things.”
Hansen played for the red and blacks during their inaugural season in 1996, and was regarded as a likely replacement for Robertson at the Crusaders before he took his right-hand-man with him to the All Blacks.
He was hailed by Robertson as the mastermind of the Crusaders’ 2022 triumph over the Blues in the final at Eden Park, when the red and blacks dismantled the hosts’ lineout en route to a 21-7 win.
After the Crusaders missed the playoffs in 2024, many pointed to the absence of Robertson after the franchise had won seven titles in seven years under his watch.
But one former player told Stuff the 2024 team dearly missed the hard-nosed Hansen, citing his ability to keep players on task, and who was not afraid to say it how it is.
Having done his media duties, Hansen planned to sit back and watch the Crusaders gun for a second straight title under Penney.
Then he’ll get into his work, likely working with the same team of assistants - Brad Mooar, Dan Perrin, James Marshall and Matt Todd.
Mansbridge declined to comment on Mooar being a candidate for the head coaching role, and said all four assistants were contracted beyond this year.
“What I can say about Brad, exceptional leader, exceptional coach, and we're really lucky to have him and he's contracted…he's doing exceptional work at the moment and we're expecting him to continue to do exceptional work.”
Most wins by Crusaders head coaches
Scott Robertson (2017-2023): Played 118, won 98*, lost 16, drew 4 (includes two canned games)
Robbie Deans (2000-2008): Played 119, won 88, lost 30, drew 1
Todd Blackadder (2009-2016): Played 116, won 74, lost 40, drew 2
Rob Penney (2024-2027): Played 44, won 25, lost 19
Wayne Smith (1997-1999): Played 37, won 24, lost 11, drew 2
Vance Stewart (1996): Played 11, won 2, lost 8, drew 1