Former Munster Rugby coach lands top job with New Zealand Super Rugby side

A FORMER Munster Rugby head coach has landed a top job with New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Crusaders.

Rob Penney has been confirmed as the new Crusaders Head Coach this week, replacing Scott Robertson, and will take up the new role on August 1.

Penney joined the Munster set-up at the start of the 2012/13 season and in his first year guided the squad to the semi-final stage of the Heineken Cup and a sixth place finish in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Penney, who initially negotiated a two-year contract with the option for a third year, has opted to decline the extension offer. The New Zealander departed Munster at the end of the 2013/2014 season to take up a three-year deal with the NTT Shining Arcs in Japan. 

Penney coached the NSW Waratahs from 2019 through to 2021 during a tumultuous time for the club and is currently Head Coach for the Japan U20 side who head to South Africa for the World Rugby U20 Championship from 24 June, where a number of current Crusaders are playing in the New Zealand squad. 

Before Penney became a coach around the world, he played for Canterbury Rugby. A loose forward, he debuted in 1985 and played more than 100 games for the region before hanging up his playing boots in 1994. 

He was assistant coach with the Crusaders in 2005 when we won the Super Rugby title and went on to lead Canterbury to four ITM Cup titles in a row between 2008-2011 – with Scott Robertson as one of his assistants.

 He was Head Coach of the New Zealand U20 side in 2012 before taking over as Head Coach at Munster.