‘Arch enemy’: Coach Rob Penney buries farewell talk as Crusaders hunt Blues’ scalp

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

While the fog was nowhere as obstructive as the blanket which left viewers totally in the dark during the 2006 Super Rugby final between the same teams, it did affect multiple TV camera angles at the beginning of the second half in particular.

Crusaders coach Rob Penney has no intention of getting bogged down by the emotional stuff.

Although he may never return to his hometown of Christchurch as a professional rugby coach after the Crusaders host the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final on Saturday afternoon, Penney was as stonyfaced as an Easter Island statue when quizzed on that subject on Monday.

'No. I am very content,'' Penney stated.

'Just focused on this group, and what this group needs right now to be as good as it can be.''

If the Crusaders defend their title, perhaps Penney will loosen-up. He's capable of doing so. Last year, when his side defeated the Chiefs in the final in Christchurch, a relieved Penney danced with the trophy and knocked back a beer to celebrate.

For now, however, the Crusaders must focus on beating the Blues at One New Zealand Stadium.

While there's uncertainty as to whether the Crusaders will get the opportunity to host another playoff game at the new $683 million stadium - it will depend on the outcome of other fixtures - it's already been confirmed that Penney won't return next year.

He will be replaced by former All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen in 2027.

Unlike Blues coach Vern Cotter, who will join the Reds next year, Penney hasn't been linked with another team.

But it’s the latter who should feel more confident ahead of the clash between the traditional rivals.

The Crusaders, backed by 25,000-strong crowds, have won all four of their fixtures at the new arena. After being embarrassed 29-13 by the Blues in Auckland on April 7, the Crusaders returned fire by smacking their opponent 36-20 in Christchurch on May 8.

The Blues, having lost their last three fixtures, have fallen off a cliff.

Cotter has confirmed captain Patrick Tuipulotu and Beauden Barrett will be fit to play in Christchurch after both were absent from the loss to the Chiefs last weekend.

The Crusaders will confirm on Wednesday whether tighthead props Fletcher Newell or Seb Calder, who suffered knee and calf injuries respectively in the win over the Hurricanes last weekend, will be available.

First five-eighth Rivez Reihana also failed a head injury assessment after leaving the field before the 10th minute, and loose forward Ethan Blackadder withdrew during the warm-ups with a leg niggle.

During the Super Round in late April, Cotter provided an honest appraisal of competing with the Crusaders on their back lawn: 'There's not a harder place to go to in New Zealand, or world rugby really, than in Christchurch.''

Those words could be gold if the hosts require another dose of self-confidence.

Penney's first-class rugby career with Canterbury was during the amateur era; he never represented the Crusaders.

Thirty years ago, when the winds of change allowed professionalism to make Super Rugby one of the world's premier competitions, the Blues were loaded with All Blacks and under Graham Henry won the first two titles before the Crusaders stunned them in the 1998 final.

Penney said that rivalry still matters.

'Of course, it's the arch enemy to a large degree and the history and traditions of playing the Blues has gone deep. Both organisations are full of proud men,'' Penney said.

'We talk about it, but without overstating it we have got a job to do on Saturday afternoon.

'We need to be right where we need to be to get the job done. That's our focus.''

The Crusaders have won all 32 playoff games they have hosted in Christchurch.

Last week's 47-14 victory over the depleted Hurricanes may have come at a cost following the injuries to Newell and Calder, but it also provided an excuse for Penney to issue a warning after things got too loose in the second half.

'We had a really conscientious review on Monday when we came in. We went deep.

'We understood why, but that won't be good enough this week.

'Just the boys were loving being in the stadium with the roof, and the full crowd, and giving it lots of energy. They just wanted to really express themselves. But we have chatted about it, we need to finish off better and complete when we have got the opportunity.''