Crusaders 2024

[Machpants]

@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:

is akin to asking them to split the atom.

Ernest is from Nelson, get him in the squad!

[Duluth]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350277345/how-crusaders-coach-rob-penneys-record-compares-his-super-rugby-peers

The article has a table with 9 pages of coaches percentages

Here's the first page & page 9

[Chris]

@Duluth

That speaks for itself.

[Duluth]

Some injury updates in this article:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350279231/crusaders-coach-rob-penney-wasnt-soul-searching-pity-after-loss-highlanders

Barrett’s back injury flared up

A back injury has again forced captain Barrett out of the team, and coach Rob Penney wasn’t able to provide a firm deadline for his return

If they lose to the Brumbies, a decision may be required as to whether it’s worth risking Barrett; getting him right ahead of the All Blacks' tests against England and Fiji in July may take priority

Blackadder

Luck-less loose forward Ethan Blackadder, who has only taken the field three times, continues to recover from a thigh injury.
"He got through probably 20 minutes of training yesterday, which is a massive step forward,'' Penney stated. "And if that progress continues, who knows, in the next fortnight we might be able to see him back.''

[gt12]

@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:

Fixed.

Perennial foodbill Ethan Blackadder, who has only taken the field three times, continues to recover from a thigh injury.

[Lancaster Park]

I think what I struggled with most is that, as noted, there was a sprinkle of ABs in every pack that should have ensured that the less experienced players should be able to fit around and still perform the basics well. That they still haven't suggests that realising that the core of your pack is well versed in a particular way of playing you don't want to change that at all. I can only assume the failure is a result of changing that default so no one is clear as to what they should do. It certainly looks like that. If so it is a really poor strategic approach for the season. That's on the coaches.
The issues at 10 meant that I never thought the backline would be any better than just basics with Sevu the only real threat. Got that right at least.
Third 10 in 3 weeks wont change that.

[Lancaster Park]

Coach in 1996 was Vance Stewart.
He was Coach for one year .......

[Tim]

Can't imagine that Penny is around next year. Maybe some of the assistants will go to. Who will replace those coaches?

[Tim]

Crusaders need better players at nine and ten. Heinz should be gone, Drummond is on his last legs, and Hotham needs to learn how to pass.

Is there anyone coming through their system, Or do they target someone from outside? Who's off contract and who would be worth recruiting?

Jordi Viljoen
Sam Nock
Jonathan Taumateine
Xavier Roe
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

Same questions apply at 10, but there may be some better targets there:

Zarn Sullivan
Josh Jacomb
Tiaan Falcon
Ajay Faleafaga
Aidan Morgan

[SBW1]

Who can we short list for coaches next year? One would think we might be looking at offshore Kiwis.

[Tim]

@SBW1 Any particularly good Super Rugby assistant coaches or NPC head coaches?

Maybe Mark Ozich could replace James Marshall? He's attack coach at the Force at the moment.

[Tim]

On the other hand, who's jumping ship ...

[Landers92]

Thought it was set up for Tamati Ellison to take over as head coach? That’s been the chat anyway.

As for 9 and 10. TTT has already been down it Christchurch with the crusaders under razor and all he did was play club footy. Hotham will come right and he is their answer at 9 but as for who is behind him, no idea.

Faleafaga isn’t leaving Dunedin anytime soon and I’m pretty sure Jacomb has tied himself up with the Chiefs. You could make a case for Josh Ioane but I’m unsure of his contract situation. The one that would make sense would be to bring back Alex Harford who is up with the blues wider squad, I’d say they are now regretting not signing him up. Rives Reihana has plenty of talent but it’s the classic case of needing time in the saddle.

They are the crusaders and they will be ok. Too much talent in that squad to have a repeat season like this one.

[Chris]

A few options out there being looked at
In NZ and over seas.
A couple of academy players may get promoted but not at 9 or 10.
Coaching group I don’t think will change

[Tim]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2024:

Josh Ioane

Must admit that I had completely forgotten about him. Very flaky player.

[SBW1]

How about another ex Waratahs coach which has recently got the push?

[Canes4life]

@SBW1 I think a Mark Hammett overhaul at the Crusaders will fix everything.

[SBW1]

I was thinking Darren Coleman.

[Chris B.]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:

Coaching group I don’t think will change

Even though there are some mitigating factors in terms of injuries and a tricky draw and plenty of close losses - and hopefully getting more games out of the likes of Barrett, Jordan, Taylor, Blackadder and Williams next year would solve some problems - I have zero faith this coaching group will rebound to win the competition next year.

If they'd maybe finished 6th or 7th there might have been something to build on. And there have been some appalling performances.

I don't see how anyone from the Crusaders' Executive could get up and say, with a straight face, "We have faith in Rob Penney to turn it around". Based on what?

He's continued where he left off from the Waratahs.

Unless we simply can't afford to sack him financially, he has got to go and most of his assistants should be scanning the Situations Vacant columns, as well. Maybe not the scrum coach, but that guy is probably also responsible for the lineout, so...

[george33]

Blackadder to Japan ?