Rob Penney wants Crusaders to stop looking back after horrendous start to season

Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has urged his side to make a turn around after a horrendous start to the ongoing Super Rugby Pacific season.

The 12-time Super Rugby champions currently are languishing at the 11th position in the Super Rugby Pacific table after losing all their four matches.

This was also their worst ever start to the campaign as Penney took over from Scott Robertson at the start of the season.

"Absolutely not. For the bounce of the ball or a couple of decisions and a bit more game management on our behalf, we wouldn't be here," he said.

"We're learning and growing together. We feel we are getting close.

"The mentality is don't sit and feel sorry for yourself because no one else is," he added.

"Of course people are hurting. We have good boys here, we aren't looking back or looking for excuses."

Penney previously was sacked from the head coach role of Waratahs in 2021 after the Australian side lost five straight matches at the start of the season.

His squad is also hit by injuries with skipper Scott Barrett (finger injury), Tamaiti Williams (hamstring) and Ethan Blackadder (calf) all sidelined while Richie Mo'unga and Sam Whitelock are plying trade overseas.