The Canterbury Crusaders have rewarded Rob Penney with another year as coach after he led them to the Super Rugby Pacific title in his second season in charge.

The 61-year-old New Zealander endured a miserable first season as coach of the Christchurch team in 2024, when the now 15-times Super Rugby champions missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade with a 4-10 record.

With a couple of key players back on the park after injury, however, Penney restored normal service in 2025 as the Crusaders finished second in the regular season standings before edging the Waikato Chiefs 16-12 in the playoff final.

"I'm really excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to work with this great organisation and team again," Penney said in a news release.

"This group is on the cusp of doing something pretty special again and I'm rapt to be a part of it."

Chief Executive Colin Mansbridge said a consistent theme had emerged during the organisation's post-season review.

"Rob comes from this real place of deep care, and I think that's felt by all of the players," he said.

"The players talked about how much he cared for them and how he genuinely tried to do the best that he could for them." REUTERS