Who will I train with?
With vast experience playing and coaching in NPC, Super rugby, and international test matches, meet some of the key personnel you will train with…
Forward Coaches
Rob Penney
Canterbury Head Coach
Rob Penney played 101 games for Canterbury between 1985 and 1994. The former Burnside No 8, who was an All Black trialist in 1991, captained the province in the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Penney subsequently moved to coaching, being co-opted as Aussie McLean’s assistant with the Canterbury Air New Zealand NPC side in 2003. He held that position from 2003 to 2005, sharing in the side’s NPC title and Ranfurly Shield success of 2004, before taking over as head coach for Canterbury’s inaugural campaign in the Air New Zealand Cup in 2006. Penney also acted as an assistant coach, with responsibility for the lineouts, during the Crusaders’ run to the final Rebel Sport Super 12 title in 2005. Last year Penney, along with assistant John Haggart, coached Canterbury to its first Air New Zealand Cup success with a hard-fought victory over Wellington in the final at Westpac Stadium.
Todd Blackadder
Crusaders Head Coach
The only man to ever lift the Super rugby trophy three times as captain of the winning team, Todd Blackadder is now back with the Crusaders as head coach.
The 2000 All Black captain has taken up that role on his return from a stint playing and more recently coaching in Scotland. Captain of the Crusaders on occasion during the foundation 1996 season, but then regularly from 1997 to 2001, Blackadder also led Canterbury to its first NPC success in 14 years in 1997, before sharing in a second NPC triumph immediately prior to his departure in 2001. He also led his country in 11 Tests in 2000 after having made his debut two years earlier against England.
In Scotland, Blackadder led the Edinburgh Gunners side in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup, before trading in his on-field role for a position as head coach at the Gunners. He was also involved as an assistant within the Scotland national team set up before giving that away to concentrate on his Gunners’ duties. On his return to New Zealand, Blackadder took up the position of Tasman’s director of rugby, leading the team to a quarter-final against Canterbury in the Air New Zealand Cup, before becoming Crusaders head coach.
Scott Robertson
Canterbury Assistant Coach
Scott Robertson is the Canterbury team’s assistant coach for the forwards and defence for ITM Cup competition.
Robertson, who has held the role for the past two seasons, will again join Head Coach Rob Penney and assistant coach Tabai Matson this season.
Robertson, who played 23 Tests for the All Blacks at loose forward, earned 86 caps for the Crusaders and played 69 matches for Canterbury.
Dave Hewett
Crusaders Assistant Coach
Former All Black and Crusaders prop Dave Hewett has been the Crusaders assistant forwards since since 2010.
A former player development manager with Canterbury and Crusaders rugby, Hewett is also currently working as the manager of the Canterbury team for the 2010 ITM Cup.
Hewett played 22 Tests for the All Blacks, 71 games for the Crusaders, 55 games for Canterbury and eight games for South Canterbury.
He played in Edinburgh, Scotland, for two seasons in 2005/6 and 2007 before returning to the player development role with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
