Inside the Crusaders' Comeback Culture

The Crusaders' 16-12 win over the Chiefs Saturday's DHL Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs was redemption for the side and its coach, Rob Penney, after failing to make the playoffs in 2024.

It was the eighth win of the various forms of the competition in nine years for the Southerners' who have now won 13 full Super Rugby titles in 29 years.

Crusaders coach Rob Penney

"I'm extremely proud, but I'm always proud of them. I treat them all like my sons, who are of similar ages. It's the respect I have for the group; they work hard. They're young men who love this place, and their commitment is total.

"The moment, it's a wonderful one.

"Winning is fantastic, and just being part of a group, a small cog on the wheel. Some wonderful people work feverishly for the group, and then the XV leads when they're on the field, and the subs that come on, as well as the boys that don't get to play, are all an integral part of it.

"It's such a pleasure to contribute in some small way to that feeling for these young men.

"Last year, we had some hiccups and some things that didn't go well for us. This year, we've been on the other side of the ledger. We've had some calls that have gone for us, and we've had some major boys available a lot. At the business end, the right people know how to do the right things.

"That was evident today the way Davey [Havili] and his leadership group orchestrated the game plan that was put together beautifully by the coaches.

"There are some people contributing today who are going to be here for a long time, and it's exciting what the future holds."

On Man of the Match first five-eighths, Rivez Reihana

"I felt four or five years ago in the New Zealand Under-20s, I had massive expectations about where he would head to. He just got no opportunity. He had a couple of injuries in the last 18 months with us, and then he's in the backend, driving us through to a final.

"That's probably his 10th or 12th Super game. He hasn't played much at this level yet. I have massive admiration for him. Like Taha Kemara and his development at the start, but unfortunately, he got injured. So the development in that area is so pleasing.

"The work that the coaches are putting into those young men to fill Richie Mo'unga's shoes, who was a massive influence for a long time. Richie wasn't leading the Crusaders until he was 22 or 23. Taha's doing it as a 21-year-old.

"For Rivez to come through – his performances at Northland have been increasingly positive – and then to steer the team this year at the back end, the most important times, I have great admiration for him and it is a credit to him."

On Codie Taylor

"He's a big moments man. The calmness that he brings to the group during the week and his accurace at set-piece and the ability to control things when the pressure points go on, and then still run 30m, skip away from the back of them all and score down the blindside. He's been a red and black man of high integrity and fantastic team ethics for his whole career. He's one of the greats."

Crusaders captain David Havili

"There were a lot of nerves and relief after a performance like that. And it was so good to get it down for Penns. He's been dragged through it all last year, and to come out on the other side with the title was pretty special.

"One hundred percent we wanted to do it for him, and not only him but our playing group. It was tough last year, but to bounce back off the canvas, stick to what we're about as Crusaders, and get back to the top is pretty special.

"I'm grateful. It takes a lot to win titles, and as a captain, it does take so much out of you, but it makes the moment so much sweeter. I wanted to lead by example and get the job done.

"We knew we had the group to do it, the experience and the youth. We just had to believe.

"Throughout the year we found momentum and we're a different beast in the playoffs and once we're at home, it's a tough place to play."