EXCLUSIVE: Great tips Crusaders dynasty 'to keep going' despite Scott Robertson's exit
As a record seventh straight Super Rugby title looms for Scott Robertson, it's expected the Crusaders will continue to be a dominant force despite Razor's exit.
Robertson will step down from his post at the end of the 2023 season to take up the top job at the All Blacks, replacing Ian Foster.
He'll be replaced by experienced head Rob Penney, who has coached Munster and the Waratahs among other junior national teams.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
It marks a return for Penney, who was the assistant coach at the Crusaders in 2005.
Scott Barrett of the Crusaders holds the Super Rugby Pacific trophy after winning the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific Final. Phil Walter via Getty Images
Even with Robertson out, former Wallaby Morgan Turinui expects that momentum will remain given its well-structured high-performance program and links to the National Provincial Championship Canterbury team.
"The Crusaders are going to keep going," Turinui said on Stan Sport's Rugby Heaven.
"(Todd) Blackadder set it up well, Razer has taken it to another level, it's set-up to continue.
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"It's not an end of an era yet because the players just keep coming through the Canterbury system.
"Wayne Smith, Robbie Deans, all the way through to Scott Robertson. What an amazing footballing environment that is."
Scott Robertson (middle) during a training session before the Super Rugby Pacific final with Scott Barrett (left) and Codie Taylor (right). Peter Meecham via Getty Images
That sentiment was echoed by James Horwill, although he questioned the longevity of coaches in Super Rugby.
Unlike the NRL where the likes of Wayne Bennett have remained stalwarts, Super Rugby coaches have a tendency to float in and out of the competition if attractive overseas offers present.
"Part of the system they've set-up, there's no reason why not – it just depends on what length of time they spend there," Horwill explained.
"Coach shelf life is probably a little bit shorter than previous. You don't see the guys like the Wayne Bennetts stay for 10 or 12 years. I think that's probably the only thing that'll stop it."
Stephen Hoiles, however, said he "highly doubts" such a streak of success can be replicated.
"When you look back and see it there, you realise what they've done going through the COVID scenarios they had to deal with," said Hoiles.
"Quite simply, I'd be shocked if in 20 years' time we see someone who's gone close to winning six."
Exactly who reigns as the most successful Super Rugby coach is up for debate.
Robertson has six titles to his name, albeit two of those were in the COVID-19 era of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Deans has five titles to his credit – three Super 12 titles and two in Super 14.
Robertson could 'equal' Deans for regulation titles with victory in Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs.
Coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific final is live and ad-free on Stan Sport or free-to-air on 9Gem from 4.30pm (AEST).
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