Rob Penney

Last updated

Rob Penney
Date of birth (1964-04-27) 27 April 1964 (age 60)
Place of birth New Zealand
Rugby union career
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1985-1994 Canterbury ()
1996-1997 Marlborough Rugby Union ()
Coaching career
YearsTeam
2005 Crusaders (assistant coach)
2006–2011 Canterbury (head coach)
2011–2012 New Zealand U20 (head coach)
2012–2014 Munster (head coach)
2014–2019 Shining Arcs (head coach)
2020–2021 Waratahs (head coach)
2024- Crusaders (head coach)

Robin Hugh Penney (born 27 April 1964) is New Zealand rugby union coach and former representative player. Generally known as Rob Penney he played in the positions of Flanker or No.8 throughout his career, most notably for Canterbury. He has served in various coaching roles since 2005. He started as the Head Coach of the Crusaders in the 2024 season.

Contents

Playing career

Penney played over 100 games for Canterbury between 1985 and 1994 in what was then the First division, the highest level of provincial rugby in New Zealand. Penney also played in an All Black trial in 1992. He later played for Marlborough in lower division rugby in 1996 and 1997. [1]

He played for the Burnside club in Christchurch and Awatere in Marlborough.

Coaching career

Canterbury and New Zealand

Penney coached Canterbury rugby in New Zealand from 2006 to 2011, and led them to win four ITM Cups in a row from 2008 to 2011. [2] He also coached the New Zealand under-20 rugby union team at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in which New Zealand were beaten 16–22 by the hosts, South Africa, in the final. [3] [4]

Munster

On 3 May 2012, it was announced that Penney would be the new Munster new head coach, signing a two-year contract. He started in the role in July 2012 with Anthony Foley remaining on as forwards coach. [5] On appointing Penney, Munster rugby CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said; "We conducted a thorough search to find a replacement for Tony McGahan and were delighted with the calibre of the candidates". [6] [7]

Penney took charge of his first competitive game as Munster coach on 1 September 2012, in a Rabo Direct Pro 12 match against Edinburgh Rugby at Murrayfield. [8] Despite a slow start, Munster won the game 23–18, to get his coaching career with Munster off to a winning start. [9] [10] Penney's Munster side had a surprise loss in the 2012–13 Heineken Cup on 13 October 2012, when they threw away an early lead against Racing Métro 92 and lost the game 22–17, but crucially secured a losing bonus point. Munster got their campaign back on track against Edinburgh Rugby the next week with a bonus point victory, winning 33–0 on the day and leaving themselves in a strong position to get out of the group stages. [11] A victory and a loss followed in Munster's next two Heineken Cup matches, both against Saracens. [12] [13] Munster secured qualification for the quarter-finals in their last match against Racing Métro 92, beating them 29–6 to arrange a quarter-final against Harlequin F.C. Munster, despite being massive underdogs, beat Harlequins 18–12 to reach the semi-final. [14] Munster lost the semi-final 16–10 to ASM Clermont Auvergne. [15]

In February 2014, Penney announced that he would be leaving Munster at the end of the 2013–14 season, having turned down the option of a third year in charge. [16] [17] Penney won the 2013–14 Pro 12 Coach of the Season Award in May 2014. [18]

Shining Arcs

The Japanese Top League team NTT Communications Shining Arcs announced Penney as their new head coach for the next season on 11 April 2014. [19]

New South Wales Waratahs

Penney joined Australian Super Rugby side Waratahs on a three-year contract in October 2019. [20] [21] On 28 March 2021, the Waratahs sacked Penney as head coach after a struggling 0–5 start to the 2021 Super Rugby AU season. He was replaced by Jason Gilmore and Chris Whitaker as interim coaches for the rest of the season. [22]

Crusaders

On 6 June 2023 Penney was appointed as the head coach of the Crusaders, taking over from Scott Robertson who took up the All Blacks coaching role. Penney's assistants are Matt Todd and Tamati Ellison. [23] Penney's Crusaders finished the 2024 season having won four and lost 10 matches. In July 2024 it was confirmed Penney would fulfil his two-year contract and coach the team for their 2025 season.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crusaders (rugby union)</span> Super Rugby franchise based in Christchurch, New Zealand

The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch, who compete in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in the competition's history and have won a total of 14 titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Howlett</span> Rugby player

Douglas Charles Howlett is a retired New Zealand professional rugby union player. He was primarily a wing, but he also sometimes played as a fullback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronan O'Gara</span> Irish rugby union coach and former player

Ronan John Ross O'Gara is an Irish former rugby union player and current coach. O'Gara played as a fly-half and is Ireland's second most-capped player and second highest points scorer. He is currently head coach of La Rochelle in the French Top 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donncha O'Callaghan</span> Rugby player

Donncha O'Callaghan is an Irish retired rugby union player. He spent most of his career with his home province Munster, spending 17 seasons with the province and winning five major trophies, before finishing his career with Worcester Warriors in the English Premiership. Internationally, O'Callaghan represented Ireland and was part of the team that won the Six Nations grand slam in 2009. He also toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2005 and 2009, winning 4 caps, and was invited the play for the Barbarians twice. Throughout his career, O'Callaghan played primarily as a lock, though he occasionally provided cover at blindside flanker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul O'Connell</span> Irish rugby union coach and former player

Paul Jeremiah O'Connell is an Irish former rugby union player and coach. When he retired, he was Ireland's third most-capped player (108) and the eighteenth most-capped international player in rugby union history. During his career, O'Connell captained Munster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions. He is now the forwards coach for the Ireland national men's team.

David Peter Wallace is an Irish retired rugby union player, who played for Munster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions. He normally played as an openside flanker, but could also play blindside flanker and number 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Foley</span> Rugby player

Anthony Gerard Foley was an Irish rugby union player and head coach of Munster. He was attached to the same squad during his professional playing career. He was a member of the Munster team that won the 2002–03 Celtic League and was the winning captain during their 2005–06 Heineken Cup success. Foley played for Ireland from 1995 until 2005 and captained the squad on three occasions.

Daryl Peter Earl Gibson is an international rugby coach and former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby and represented his country with the All Blacks. After success as assistant coach with the Waratahs side when they won the 2014 Super Rugby Championship, Gibson replaced Michael Cheika as head Coach of the team in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Robertson (rugby union)</span> Rugby player

Scott Maurice Robertson is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the All Blacks, the men's New Zealand national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casey Laulala</span> Rugby player

Casey Daniel Eti Laulala is a Samoan-born New Zealand former rugby union player.

Brendon James Botha, better known as BJ Botha is a South African former rugby union player. He played as a prop. He is now a housemaster and rugby coach at Glenstal Abbey School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Chambers</span> Australia international rugby league and union footballer

William Chambers is a retired Australian rugby league and union footballer who last played for the LA Giltinis in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States. After winning two titles with the Melbourne Storm, he retired from Australia's NRL in 2021.

Niall Ronan is a retired Irish rugby union player, who played for Leinster, Munster and Ireland during his career. He played as a flanker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damien Varley</span> Rugby player

Damien Varley is a former Irish rugby union player who represented Munster and Ireland. He played as a hooker. Varley was forced to retire from rugby in February 2015, due to a foot injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felix Jones (rugby union)</span> Irish rugby union coach

Felix Jones is an Irish rugby union coach and former player. He played primarily as a fullback, but could also play on the wing. In October 2015, Jones was forced to retire from rugby due to a neck injury. He moved into coaching after retiring from playing, and is currently Defence coach with the England national team. He is the great-grandson of Alfred Edwin Jones.

Peter Borlase is a New Zealand rugby union former player and former head coach of the Colorado Raptors in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Ian William Nagle is a retired Irish rugby union player, who last played for Italian United Rugby Championship side Zebre. Nagle began his career with home province Munster, before stints abroad with English sides Newcastle Falcons and London Irish. Whilst in England, Nagle also represented Cambridge University, before he returned to Ireland to join Leinster in 2016, as well as joining Ulster on loan during the 2018–19 season. He played in the second row.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Saili</span> New Zealand rugby union player

Francis Saili is a New Zealand rugby union player, currently playing for French club Racing 92. He plays primarily as a centre, though he can also play wing. He is the younger brother of Blues loose forward Peter Saili.

The 2013–14 Munster Rugby season was Munster's thirteenth season competing in the Pro12 alongside which they also competed in the Heineken Cup for the nineteenth time. It was Rob Penney's second and final season as head coach.

Oliver G.J.T. Jager is an Irish rugby union player who currently plays as a prop for Munster. Previously he represented Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition. In November 2023, he announced that he was joining Munster Rugby from 1 December 2023. Jager made his international debut for Ireland on 24 February 2024 coming on as a replacement in the Six Nations match against Wales.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/robin-h-penney [ bare URL ]
  2. ↑ "Fantastic four NPC titles for Canterbury". New Zealand: Stuff. 5 September 2011. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "Adams insists new Munster boss Penney has quality to answer supporters' prayers". Irish Independent. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  4. ↑ "Munster appoint Penney as new boss". ESPNscrum. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  5. ↑ "Penney's man for Munster". Evening Herald. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "Munster appoint Rob Penney as head coach". Limerick Leader. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  7. ↑ "Canterbury's Rob Penney named new Munster coach". BBC Sport. 2 May 2012. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  8. ↑ "Penney delighted to make winning start". Irish Independent. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Munster take first big steps for Penney". Irish Examiner. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Gritty Munster off to winning start". Limerick Leader. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "End Game Earns Bonus". munsterrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  12. ↑ "Munster Show Their Gritty Side". munsterrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "Munster Lose After Epic Battle". munsterrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "Alone They Stand". munsterrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  15. ↑ "Munster Lose A Game of Two Halves". munsterrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  16. ↑ "O'Connell shocked and disappointed by Penney's departure". Irish Examiner. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  17. ↑ "Rob Penney and Simon Mannix to leave Munster at the end of the season". Irish Independent. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  18. ↑ "PRO12 Awards For Penney & Hanrahan". munsterrugby.ie. 11 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  19. ↑ "NTT Shining Arcs announces new staff and slogan for 2014". Top League (in Japanese). 11 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  20. ↑ "Rob Penney appointed NSW Waratahs Head Coach". NSW Waratahs. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  21. ↑ "New Waratahs coach Penney reveals roster wishlist". The Sydney Morning Herald . 2 October 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  22. ↑ "Struggling NSW Waratahs sack Kiwi coach Rob Penney". New Zealand: Stuff. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  23. ↑ "Rob Penney is new Crusaders coach".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.