Rob Penney: Crusaders coach on the team beating out the Chiefs 43-33

0:00You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Pine from News Talks at B The Crusaders have opened their Super Rugby account for the season with a 43 33 victory over the Chief Sin Hamilton The drop that is he's gone to score and the referee says it's all over Oh, it's gone, it's 43 33 Oh, the presiders run out the winners here in Hamilton What a hell of a game, er, actually Oh, gee, you always get passion, don't you? And the Hamilton commentary box went minties behind the mic Save your voice mate, we're only in round three Great, if you're back last night, Minty The Crusaders were 14-0 and 21-7 down

1:01But 36 unanswered points in the middle were key to their victory Crusaders head coach Rob Pennies with us from Hamilton Rob, thanks for joining us to congratulations on the win How do you sum up a night where you're 14-0 and 21-7 down but then end up putting 40 on the Chiefs? It was a really proud moment, I guess Up against the great Chiefs side who, you know, are always difficult up here And to be those, you know, as you say, those that many points down But we always had faith, we've got a capable group And they managed to string some pressure moments together Which has been a bit of a sore point for us in the first three weeks of the comp And on the back of those, we've got a real run And shut them out and it was a fine performance But a lot of men across the park and they should be really, really proud of their performances And I hope people are too because as I said, it was a really good strong Chiefs side

2:05And tough to win up here and to do it And that manner was a bit special Yeah, I want to talk about a couple of those players specifically in a moment But when you are 14-0 down and they've gone into end to score You know, a pretty thrilling try Did you sense any panic at that stage? Or was there a calm belief still amongst the coaching staff And from what you could see down on the grass? Yeah, the coaching box is pretty good, you know All we do is assist the boys to get the plan in place And you know, between us, we work out the strategy And we, rather than sending messages down often The boys on the ground to report back what the boys were talking about And they were all saying the right things So we had a lot of belief that they were going to get it back on track We've just made a few errors, we've got a couple of things wrong Which has been a bit of a flavour for the preseason But you know, we've worked on remedies If we get in those situations to try to give ourselves opportunity

3:05And the boys embrace those And so there was no panic So what did change? What did you see changed then You know, from the moment you started to come back into the game And actually, then by half time, were ahead on the scoreboard Yeah, well we've still created in the first 10 or so minutes Before the Chiefs scored We had created opportunities where we should have finished ourselves So it wasn't as if we were, you know, bored of opportunity So those things just say to you Like if we can just capitalise on those opportunities That we're creating and do more with them We'll get better outcomes And the reality was, you know, the Chiefs capitalise on a couple of opportunities We know they can go into end And they did it magnificently You know, their counter attack day was extremely dangerous And it's a credit to the talent that they have in their group But with us, you know, we've got a bit of rhythm

4:06Through that middle part of the first half And then we've just, so proud of the boys after they came out of the second half And, you know, put 20 odd points on them And took the game away really in that third 20 Which is notoriously a part where the Chiefs have really claimed games And so, yeah, I guess, all in all Just wrapped with the outcome and wrapped with the performance of a lot Can I ask you about a couple of players? Taha Kemera A lot of people saying it's a coming of age performance I know that, you know, you've known for a long time that he's a terrific player How impressed were you with him last night? Yeah, 22 years of age driving the Crusaders around I think he's the youngest Ken that the organisations had as a starter And it's a credit to him We know that he played really well at the starter last campaign And then got a knee injury which was something he had to work his way through And on the back of that he's done a terrific job

5:08It was rehab, he's back to full fitness Mentally, there's no scarring from that issue And just so proud of the young man He's such a genuine bloke And the lovely sky you'd ever want to meet And just so committed and the ultimate competitor And so, yeah, can't speak highly enough about the young fella Christian Leo Willie, a hat trick of choice That's nice obviously But his all round game, again, impressed What's he bringing to your forward pack right now? Well, Christian's one of the, you know, he's got the ability He's got a bit of X factor So he's got the ability to do things that With a footwork and with his power You know, that a special on a footy field And allows other people to feed off He's taking a couple of weeks to get up to speed Which is fair enough because he came in late to us But he's, again, very committed Great competitor

6:09Loves this group of men And, you know, he just, you just see it in his eyes When he's playing well He just brings joy And so it was lovely to see him come off play AD And the three tries, as you say, are a reflection on the team performance But also a little bit about himself But what he gave us around our attack and D Because the park was really classy And the final one I want to ask about is Will Jordan On both sides of the ball You know, he sets up tries But that try-saving tackle right at the end I mean, it wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't made it You still would have won the game Is he setting the standard in your group right now, Will Jordan? Up, he's right up there with one or two Like he's such a, he's a coach He loves the game And he has got a great understanding of the game His leadership has gone through the roof since my time here He's matured, he's offering so much to the team

7:11And, you know, like he's a world class player And he's been fantastic for us And every sphere of the team Not just his own performances, but also Care and concern deeply about how others are going And what the team needs can be better And just a fabulous young man And he's still got a lot of great rugby in front of him And as you say, he can just do things that others can't You know, in the last three weeks He's ripped the fences open We haven't always been able to capitalize on it unfortunately But, you know, he's a special talent As we all know He deserves all the credit that he's bestowed on him So many of your answers today, Robin And when I've spoken to you previously Just demonstrate that you are very much a player-driven coach You let the players take a lot of responsibility After last week, though, did you have to lay down the law at all? Did you have to demand a response?

8:11Or did that also come from the players? It's always a mixed bag There's been lots of conversations And we're blessed with our leadership quality And I've said it last year a lot And I'll go back there again, David Hoverley Had a magnificent week He sets such high standards around the How you prepare mentally And how you call the mental application you need to put in To get yourself in a position physically to do what you need to do On game day And the boys love him So he doesn't need to say a lot But when he speaks, he speaks With a deepness and a truth And an honesty that touches everybody's heart And so I think the coaches did a magnificent job I think there were some things that the players needed to hear They got to hear those But it's all done in a caring and a growth With a growth mindset and a manner

9:11Which doesn't impact the guys confidence And you know, at least everyone in the room After the meeting was right This is where we're going This is what we need to do Let's get on board and we're away And it just felt like the coaches set the tone early in the week And David and the leaders Topped it off at the back end of the week And players got into it And did the job they needed to do Did any part of you last night early in that game Flashback two years No, no Look, this is a new group We don't have the injury issues that we had back then So no, not at all This group is just such a joy to be part of And I'm enjoying the ride I bet you are I bet you are I bet your fans are too Rob, great to chat as always Thanks for taking the time All the best as you prepare for the Blues next weekend Pleasure mate Yeah, another Another toughy coming off

10:11From the back of the year performance last night They'll be disappointed So she should be fighting Fireworks that even park on shore I think you're probably right, Rob I think you're probably right Great to chat Thanks indeed, Rob Penny there The Crusaders head coach of the back of his side 43-331 over the Chiefs In Hamilton last night