Crusaders CEO rubbishes 'childish' talks to sack new coach despite horror Super Rugby season

The Crusaders' chief executive on Tuesday rejected "childish" calls to sack coach Rob Penney with the defending champions languishing at the bottom of the Super Rugby table.

The New Zealand franchise have dominated Super Rugby over the past decade, winning seven titles in a row.

Super Rugby table

But under new coach Penney, brought in this season to replace All Blacks-bound Scott Robertson, the Crusaders have only one win from their opening eight games.

Chief executive Colin Mansbridge said that firing Penney, who was sacked from his previous Super Rugby coaching role with the New South Wales Waratahs in 2021, did not make sense.

"When you think logically about it, what are your options? That's not a very clever option, no matter how bad things get," he told local broadcaster Newstalk ZB.

READ | Springboks to tackle Wales twice in 2024 as world champions confirm year-end tour fixtures

Mansbridge said he accepted criticism from fans "because they are emotionally invested.

"But from commentators, I think it's childish, frankly.

"When you see those things happen overseas, you don't see improvements in results, that's the fact," he added.

"There'll be an exception that proves the rule, but generally it makes no difference, and in fact, probably things get worse."