Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge has promised a robust review of the franchise's 2024 performance, after falling short of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs.
Despite back-to-back home wins over the tabletopping Blues and Moana Pasifika to end their regular season, the defending champions have been officially eliminated from post-season contention, after Fijian Drua overwhelmed Melbourne Rebels 40-19 at Lautoka.
They finish the season with a four-win, 10-loss record - their worst since finishing 10th in 2001.
After seven Super Rugby crowns in as many years - they missed out on the COVID-inspired 2021 Trans Tasman competition - Mainsbridge admits the organisation is "disappointed" with the outcome.
"Regardless of result or position on the competition table, we remain proud of our team, of our club and the huge mahi put in across the entire organisation to deliver the season that has been," he said.
"Many results didn't go our way and, at times, our onfield performance was not at the level we expect of ourselves. Fine margins define results and table position, and we lost six of our games by less than seven points."
After a golden period of success, this was always likely to be a rebuilding phase for the Crusaders, who lost coaches Scott Robertson and Scott Hansen to the All Blacks, and several senior players - most notably lock Sam Whitelock and first-five Richie Mo'unga - to offshore contracts.
They were also plagued by injuries, with captain Scott Barrett missing most of the season with niggles, and tried five different players in the No.10 jersey, as they struggled to replace Mo'unga. Their performance finally turned around with the return of Fergus Burke from an Achilles injury, but he will also be lost next season to English club Saracens.
New coach Rob Penney seems an easy target, especially after losing his cool under media cross-examination in the final weeks, but his players have remained loyal to him and he turned the ship around after that lapse.
"Of course, there is work to do to improve and come back stronger," said Mansbridge. "As we always do, we now conduct a full performance review.
"It's out chance to discuss what went right, what went wrong and where we can find improvements. Our review is focused on performance and ensures we don't make any rash decisions.
"We want the team and organisation to operate to the standard we expect, and every opportunity to improve is looked at."
The review will see all players and coaches surveyed, with some players involved in feedback workshops.
"Generally, reviews deliver insights we wouldn't share broadly, but results of those insights may be seen," said Mansbridge. "We look forward to the lessons we'll learn and improving how we operate ahead of the 2025 season."
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