April 18, 2025 • 11 mins
Crusaders coach Rob Penney has hailed his team's resilience in the late stages of their 25-22 Super Rugby win over the Blues in Christchurch.
The home side led 19-7 early in the second half before the Blues clawed back to take a 22-19 lead.
Two late penalties from Crusaders replacement first-five James O'Connor, including one after the final hooter, saw the competition leaders steal the victory.
Penney says his team's defensive effort was a standout in wet and windy conditions.
He spoke with Nick Bewley the morning after, saving special praise for his side's defensive efforts and that of Fletcher Newell with the big prop going 80 minutes.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
They work the scrub over and the Crusaders are go
Ford and the right eye goes out.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
There's the whist on.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
And that time that's on the other side of George Power.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
And now the moment.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Is with James O'Connor. The ball is in his hands,
the game is in his hands. A dream scenario for
every young old first five eight out there, the game
on the line, A kick to win.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
It right in front, anyway, he'd seven meters out thirty seconds.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Former Wallaby.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Can he itch his name into Crusaders Blues folklore strikes
it through.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
James I conna.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
What's it for the Crusaders?
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yes, welcome back into the gallery All Sports Breakfast. A
thrilling result last night, wasn't it. James O'Connor the hero
in the end with that match, winning a penalty goal
twenty five twenty two over the Blues and joining us
live as the Crusader's head coach. A Rob Penny, Good
morning to you, Pins.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Good morning, how are you.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
I'm very well and I'm sure you are too. Just
talk us through the emotions. Is the Is the heart
rate gone down to touch after a good night's sleep?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Oh yeah, no, it was pretty level. You know, you
don't get on the roller coaster too much, you know. Anyway,
I just so thrilled for the Leads and for the
people that turned up on a pretty mucky night to
be part of that. I think the words you used
there were throwing, and that's exactly what it was. And
(02:01):
I just really proud the boys had to dig deep.
It was tough, guy, and the Blues were You were
a very competitive and tough unit to play against, and
we had had to go to the well and we
did and as I said, throwing outcome and it was
just joy to be there and watch the thrills and
(02:22):
the excitement on the faces of all the fans.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Absolutely no, it was a joy to be part of
the commentary coverage as well. I remember talking to you
about this last night, but I'm keen to unpack it
a bit further here on the show this morning. Of course,
James O'Connor isn't presented with the opportunity late with two
penalties if it's not the work of the front row,
the Type five and in particular your props. Special night
for to Mighty Williams the loose head his fiftieth games,
(02:47):
scoring the first try butt Fletcher Newle as well. An
eighty minute effort almost unheard of these days. Rob for
a tight haired prop What did you make of your
performances out of your big boys up front?
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Yeah, first of all, congratulations to Mighty fifty. It's a
great achievement of him and his family was in the
changing rooms last night, a lot of joy around for
him to celebrate that on the back of a really
good fifty minutes from to Mighty and then George coming
on and not skipping a beat through the through the remainder,
(03:22):
George Bauer and you are only coming on for Cody,
but yeah, he's just say the spotlight needs to go on, Fletcher,
and you're eighty minutes as you say, it very really happens.
And then to finish with two but one very memorable
scrums to get us, you know, the opportunity to get
four points. So was an incredible effort by him, and
(03:44):
him and his family should be so proud of what
he's achieving. He's a bit of an unsung hero, like
he was incredible last season for us. You know, he's
still i think just twenty five years of age, and
to go eighty minutes in that Cauldrome with that opposition
(04:05):
of the level of talent they have, and then to
do a job in that last scrub like he did incredible.
So yeah, the front row deserve a lot of applaudits
to what happened at the back end of that game
last night.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
A lot was made late last year, Rob when James
O'Connor's announcement or a signing announcement was made public, and
you know, a couple of eyebrows raised around the fan base.
But I guess he's proving his weight in gold with
situations like last night, and every time you talk to Aimeta,
for example, they're just glowing in his praise of how
(04:42):
impactful he is in terms of his advice and mentorship.
How about James O'Connor and the impact he's having on
your group.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, he's wonderful to have around. It's interesting you mentioned
about the raised eyebrows. You know there's lots of critics
out there just don't read social media any way, come
across them. You know, they're faceless, nameless most of the
time and don't offer anything positive to any environment. And
you know other teams are going through what we're going through.
(05:13):
What we went through last year and getting the same effect.
So I think the people in that matter knew the
impact that James would have, and that's that's the people
that are close to the environment and close to James.
And he's truly a genuine, giving, really really wonderful natured
(05:36):
individual that is at the stage of his career where
we knew what he had provide for us, and we
had no doubt about if the opportunity was to come
to get him here and the discussions unfolded what he
would provide for us, and we're really fortunate to have him.
And so yeah, just just great for everyone in the environment,
(06:00):
just Ta Rivers and James White and the ten Jerseys.
He's also great for us as a group. And the
conversation and openness around us rugby knowledge is just wonderful
too to be part of when you're in the room
with the type of rugby intellect that we do have
(06:23):
in our environment and leaving those conversations unfold. So I
can't speak highly enough about the guy Rob.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Any of the Weathers on the Cannibry All Sports Breakfast's
got a text here through Rob David Harvey I thought
was outstanding in that first half, just that that slider
hand to put Will Jordan's through right on halftime. But
can you just give us a bit of an update
in our list? As an update, how are those achilles?
I assume that was the reason why I had to
come off at the break.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Yeah, it's more of a deep bruising to the bottom
of a calf okay, rather than a legitimate achilles. So
we're really positive about David and what the next sort
of ten days look flight. He just felt at halftime
that he was starting to get a bit tender and
there was a bit of tightness being created. We had
(07:11):
one of the great Dallas mcclouds come on and so
that happened, and you know that the game ended up
as it did. But David, as you eluded, had a
great forty and he's so important to our group. His
leadership and the way he's adapted to that role of
(07:31):
captain c is powerful and when he's on the field,
as you could see, you know we're a team that
can do all things.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Just brought a picture Rob sitting there at the top
of the Super Rugby Pacific standing steady two points of
course the Chiefs Hoster Highlanders tonight. I know in the
press conference last night you said overall in terms of
eighty minutes and it was a difficult night, but it
was a bit average and patches and any ways, you've
got to be happy though that you know you're winning
(08:04):
with expansive footy earlier in the year, you're finding ways
in difficult conditions and highlanders next week and then a
buy just I guess an overall view of where things stand.
Still a lot of work to be done, but you've
got to be satisfied with your start through as we
now look to the back end of the regular season.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Oh yeah, really, just such a joy to watch the
boys in the changing rooms afterwards. You know, there's nothing
like success to bring joy to the faces of the
men that you know you're working with. And I just
can't speak highly enough of the coaching group. They're all,
you know, donkey deep in their work and really adding
(08:46):
a lot of value across all the spheres, and the
boys are embracing that learning and activity that's going on
and you know, grabbing it with both hands. And the
leadership groups have been tremendous as I alluded earlier with
Davy at the helm. But yeah, so at the moment
I think, well, we've got one game against a high
(09:07):
disease you said in the buyer, then four games, so
there's theoretically another twenty five points in the in the offering.
So that makes with the teams that have only played
well played one less and us, so there's thirty points
at offering. So there's still a lot of work to do.
There's no way, you know, you can be sitting back
on the easy chair, I think, and the job's done.
(09:29):
Things will change remarkably, I suspect over the next six
weeks before we get to the playoffs. But we put
ourselves in a strong position to be masters of our
own destiny. And that's the key thing. You know, We've
got to be really mindful that we turn up every
day with that open mindset to learn and grow and
be better than before, and and a team every fixture,
(09:54):
you know, with no not a touch of arrogance. You know,
the competition is so tough. Any team can roll any
team on their day, and we've just got to prepare
well every week and respect the opposition as deeply as
we should. And eno if we do that consistently, you
know we'll be you know, towards the Becken, we'll be close.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Well, we're loving it here in the Canterbury community, Rob Penny,
and we really appreciate your time here on the Canterbury
All Sports Breakfast most weeks when it's Leslie in this
chair and myself this morning, So thanks again, congratulations on
last night, enjoy a few chocolate snow doubt over the
long weekend and we will catch you hopefully next week
after that Highlanders.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
Go, Yeah, great next Thanks for your support and it
was just so wonderful and a murdy night on a
long weekend to get so many I guess positive people
around the stadium last night. Just so grateful for the
support we get. And ere long mark continue and yeah,
thank you very much for your support too, It's been awesome.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
You're a good man, Rob Penny. Thank you for more
from News Talks eNB listen live on air or online,
and keep our shows with you wherever you go with
our podcasts on iHeartRadio.
They work the scrub over and the Crusaders are go
Ford and the right eye goes out.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
There's the whist on.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
And that time that's on the other side of George Power.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
And now the moment.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Is with James O'Connor. The ball is in his hands,
the game is in his hands. A dream scenario for
every young old first five eight out there, the game
on the line, A kick to win.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
It right in front, anyway, he'd seven meters out thirty seconds.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Former Wallaby.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Can he itch his name into Crusaders Blues folklore strikes
it through.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
James I conna.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
What's it for the Crusaders?
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yes, welcome back into the gallery All Sports Breakfast. A
thrilling result last night, wasn't it. James O'Connor the hero
in the end with that match, winning a penalty goal
twenty five twenty two over the Blues and joining us
live as the Crusader's head coach. A Rob Penny, Good
morning to you, Pins.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Good morning, how are you.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
I'm very well and I'm sure you are too. Just
talk us through the emotions. Is the Is the heart
rate gone down to touch after a good night's sleep?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Oh yeah, no, it was pretty level. You know, you
don't get on the roller coaster too much, you know. Anyway,
I just so thrilled for the Leads and for the
people that turned up on a pretty mucky night to
be part of that. I think the words you used
there were throwing, and that's exactly what it was. And
(02:01):
I just really proud the boys had to dig deep.
It was tough, guy, and the Blues were You were
a very competitive and tough unit to play against, and
we had had to go to the well and we
did and as I said, throwing outcome and it was
just joy to be there and watch the thrills and
(02:22):
the excitement on the faces of all the fans.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Absolutely no, it was a joy to be part of
the commentary coverage as well. I remember talking to you
about this last night, but I'm keen to unpack it
a bit further here on the show this morning. Of course,
James O'Connor isn't presented with the opportunity late with two
penalties if it's not the work of the front row,
the Type five and in particular your props. Special night
for to Mighty Williams the loose head his fiftieth games,
(02:47):
scoring the first try butt Fletcher Newle as well. An
eighty minute effort almost unheard of these days. Rob for
a tight haired prop What did you make of your
performances out of your big boys up front?
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Yeah, first of all, congratulations to Mighty fifty. It's a
great achievement of him and his family was in the
changing rooms last night, a lot of joy around for
him to celebrate that on the back of a really
good fifty minutes from to Mighty and then George coming
on and not skipping a beat through the through the remainder,
(03:22):
George Bauer and you are only coming on for Cody,
but yeah, he's just say the spotlight needs to go on, Fletcher,
and you're eighty minutes as you say, it very really happens.
And then to finish with two but one very memorable
scrums to get us, you know, the opportunity to get
four points. So was an incredible effort by him, and
(03:44):
him and his family should be so proud of what
he's achieving. He's a bit of an unsung hero, like
he was incredible last season for us. You know, he's
still i think just twenty five years of age, and
to go eighty minutes in that Cauldrome with that opposition
(04:05):
of the level of talent they have, and then to
do a job in that last scrub like he did incredible.
So yeah, the front row deserve a lot of applaudits
to what happened at the back end of that game
last night.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
A lot was made late last year, Rob when James
O'Connor's announcement or a signing announcement was made public, and
you know, a couple of eyebrows raised around the fan base.
But I guess he's proving his weight in gold with
situations like last night, and every time you talk to Aimeta,
for example, they're just glowing in his praise of how
(04:42):
impactful he is in terms of his advice and mentorship.
How about James O'Connor and the impact he's having on
your group.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, he's wonderful to have around. It's interesting you mentioned
about the raised eyebrows. You know there's lots of critics
out there just don't read social media any way, come
across them. You know, they're faceless, nameless most of the
time and don't offer anything positive to any environment. And
you know other teams are going through what we're going through.
(05:13):
What we went through last year and getting the same effect.
So I think the people in that matter knew the
impact that James would have, and that's that's the people
that are close to the environment and close to James.
And he's truly a genuine, giving, really really wonderful natured
(05:36):
individual that is at the stage of his career where
we knew what he had provide for us, and we
had no doubt about if the opportunity was to come
to get him here and the discussions unfolded what he
would provide for us, and we're really fortunate to have him.
And so yeah, just just great for everyone in the environment,
(06:00):
just Ta Rivers and James White and the ten Jerseys.
He's also great for us as a group. And the
conversation and openness around us rugby knowledge is just wonderful
too to be part of when you're in the room
with the type of rugby intellect that we do have
(06:23):
in our environment and leaving those conversations unfold. So I
can't speak highly enough about the guy Rob.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Any of the Weathers on the Cannibry All Sports Breakfast's
got a text here through Rob David Harvey I thought
was outstanding in that first half, just that that slider
hand to put Will Jordan's through right on halftime. But
can you just give us a bit of an update
in our list? As an update, how are those achilles?
I assume that was the reason why I had to
come off at the break.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Yeah, it's more of a deep bruising to the bottom
of a calf okay, rather than a legitimate achilles. So
we're really positive about David and what the next sort
of ten days look flight. He just felt at halftime
that he was starting to get a bit tender and
there was a bit of tightness being created. We had
(07:11):
one of the great Dallas mcclouds come on and so
that happened, and you know that the game ended up
as it did. But David, as you eluded, had a
great forty and he's so important to our group. His
leadership and the way he's adapted to that role of
(07:31):
captain c is powerful and when he's on the field,
as you could see, you know we're a team that
can do all things.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Just brought a picture Rob sitting there at the top
of the Super Rugby Pacific standing steady two points of
course the Chiefs Hoster Highlanders tonight. I know in the
press conference last night you said overall in terms of
eighty minutes and it was a difficult night, but it
was a bit average and patches and any ways, you've
got to be happy though that you know you're winning
(08:04):
with expansive footy earlier in the year, you're finding ways
in difficult conditions and highlanders next week and then a
buy just I guess an overall view of where things stand.
Still a lot of work to be done, but you've
got to be satisfied with your start through as we
now look to the back end of the regular season.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Oh yeah, really, just such a joy to watch the
boys in the changing rooms afterwards. You know, there's nothing
like success to bring joy to the faces of the
men that you know you're working with. And I just
can't speak highly enough of the coaching group. They're all,
you know, donkey deep in their work and really adding
(08:46):
a lot of value across all the spheres, and the
boys are embracing that learning and activity that's going on
and you know, grabbing it with both hands. And the
leadership groups have been tremendous as I alluded earlier with
Davy at the helm. But yeah, so at the moment
I think, well, we've got one game against a high
(09:07):
disease you said in the buyer, then four games, so
there's theoretically another twenty five points in the in the offering.
So that makes with the teams that have only played
well played one less and us, so there's thirty points
at offering. So there's still a lot of work to do.
There's no way, you know, you can be sitting back
on the easy chair, I think, and the job's done.
(09:29):
Things will change remarkably, I suspect over the next six
weeks before we get to the playoffs. But we put
ourselves in a strong position to be masters of our
own destiny. And that's the key thing. You know, We've
got to be really mindful that we turn up every
day with that open mindset to learn and grow and
be better than before, and and a team every fixture,
(09:54):
you know, with no not a touch of arrogance. You know,
the competition is so tough. Any team can roll any
team on their day, and we've just got to prepare
well every week and respect the opposition as deeply as
we should. And eno if we do that consistently, you
know we'll be you know, towards the Becken, we'll be close.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Well, we're loving it here in the Canterbury community, Rob Penny,
and we really appreciate your time here on the Canterbury
All Sports Breakfast most weeks when it's Leslie in this
chair and myself this morning, So thanks again, congratulations on
last night, enjoy a few chocolate snow doubt over the
long weekend and we will catch you hopefully next week
after that Highlanders.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
Go, Yeah, great next Thanks for your support and it
was just so wonderful and a murdy night on a
long weekend to get so many I guess positive people
around the stadium last night. Just so grateful for the
support we get. And ere long mark continue and yeah,
thank you very much for your support too, It's been awesome.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
You're a good man, Rob Penny. Thank you for more
from News Talks eNB listen live on air or online,
and keep our shows with you wherever you go with
our podcasts on iHeartRadio.
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