Crusaders announce Scott Hansen as club's next head coach

The Crusaders have announced that Scott Hansen will succeed Rob Penney as Crusaders head coach in 2027.

Penney has decided to leave the team after three seasons and one Super Rugby Pacific title, with his team still in the hunt for a second under his watch.

The coach came into the role hot on the heels of Scott Robertson’s historic success, which produced seven titles in as many years. Penney led an injury-ravaged squad to just four wins in his debut season as head coach, seeing the team miss the playoffs. That result sparked plenty of debate about Penney’s future in the role, but after a post-season review, the club ultimately decided Penney’s contributions were positive and kept him in place.

In 2025, the Crusaders won 11 games and returned to the mountaintop as Super Rugby Pacific champions. Penney signed a one-year extension as head coach.

The club now sit fourth on the table coming into the final game of the 2026 round-robin, with the chance to earn a home qualifying final with a win against the table-topping Hurricanes.

“It’s been an honour of a lifetime to be the Head Coach of the Crusaders, but the time is right for me to step away from the role after three seasons,” Penney said.

Penney, who was a Canterbury centurion during his playing days, was also part of the Crusaders’ fifth title in 2005 as an assistant coach.

“I have always been a deeply passionate Canterbury man with the famous Red and Black colours etched into my DNA. When the Crusaders were established, it was a very natural fit for me to have a close connection to them as the values of the Crusaders were born out of Canterbury,” Penney added.

“I have been so very fortunate to be a small part of the Crusaders over the last three years and am very excited as we once again head into a finals campaign with a team very capable of going the whole way. There are too many people to thank; this special place will always be a part of me and my family.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

36 - 32

36 - 20

38 - 31

35 - 20

31 - 26

45 - 28

24 - 47

17 - 50

38 - 31

45 - 12

3

Wins

5

2

Streak

5

25

Tries Scored

34

23

Points Difference

113

4/5

First Try

4/5

2/5

First Points

4/5

2/5

Race To 10 Points

5/5

Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge thanked Penney for his contributions to the club and said his leadership had been felt far beyond the field over the past three seasons.

“Rob is incredibly humble, and he always puts others ahead of himself,” Mansbridge said.

“He deserves every bit of credit that comes his way, but he makes it bloody hard for us to give it to him.

“He took on a team in transition, carried a huge amount of responsibility, and stayed focused on growth and development, even through injury disruption early on. The care he showed our players and staff was genuine and consistent.

“We talk a lot about care in sport, but Rob lives it. He talks about love, and he’s shown that every single day he’s been here. That matters, and it will always matter at this club.”

Former Crusaders halfback and attack coach Scott Hansen returns to the club without much need for introductions around Rugby Park, having helped lead the Crusaders to titles from 2020 through to 2023, before he ascended to the All Blacks alongside Scott Robertson.

His experience also includes roles with Japan, the All Blacks XV, Sunwolves, Leicester Tigers, Kobelco Steelers, and New Zealand U20.

Mansbridge says Hansen’s appointment brings a proven winner back into the environment.

“Scott sets incredibly high standards and has a deep understanding of the game,” he says.

“He’s proven himself here, at Canterbury, and on the international stage. He brings clarity, discipline and a genuine love for helping people be better.

“We know he’ll thrive in this environment, and we’re proud to see another of our own step up. That continuity and connection to who we are is important.”

Hansen lost his job as All Blacks attack coach earlier this year when Dave Rennie was appointed head coach of the national team, succeeding Scott Robertson and bringing in his own personnel.

The 50-year-old says that returning to the Crusaders as head coach is a deeply meaningful appointment.

“My family and I are incredibly thankful for this opportunity, and we’re excited to be part of something special,” Hansen says.

“I was born in Christchurch, raised in Lyttelton, and I’m Crusader number 25. This is my home , and I’m very proud to be given the opportunity to serve the Crusaders and the people of this region again.

“The proud history and tradition of the Crusaders has always been built on our culture and the people both on and beside the field. We will balance being true to the past and honouring tradition while also having our eyes on the future.

“This club has experienced sustained success over a long period of time, and that doesn’t happen by accident. We can continue that legacy by turning up every day, learning together, and pushing to be the best we can be. I’m really looking forward to working with this group and moving forward together.”