Penney backs Lio-Willie for All Blacks return after standout Crusaders season

Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has publicly backed loose-forward Christian Lio-Willie for an All Blacks recall, saying the 27-year-old “deserves another opportunity” after an impressive 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. Penney made the comments as his tenure in Christchurch came to an end following the Crusaders’ semi-final elimination by the Chiefs in Hamilton last Friday.

Lio-Willie, who is also a qualified dentist, made his Test debut in 2025 under then-All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, playing the full 80 minutes against France in Dunedin. He went on to earn three caps in total, but faded from Robertson’s plans as the year progressed, missing both the Rugby Championship squad and the end-of-year tour group.

The No.8 signed off on the Crusaders’ season in emphatic fashion, completing the full 80 minutes of the semi-final defeat to the Chiefs and contributing 14 carries and 13 tackles in Hamilton.

“He’s got great footwork, he’s one of our key go-forward men, particularly in the tough games, and particularly towards the back end, he was doing that consistently,” Penney told Sport Nation.

“Yeah, he’s someone that deserves another opportunity back in the All Blacks, and let’s really hope that that comes, because I think we’ll see the best out of him. He’s a gem of a man and a wonderful player.”

Penney noted that new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has signalled that selection will be driven by current form — a framework that could work in Lio-Willie’s favour given his performances this season.

With his Crusaders chapter now closed, the 62-year-old Penney was measured about his own next steps. “I’m just going to sit back for a little while and breathe some fresh air,” he said. “There’s some things that I’d like to do to help [my family], and we’ll see what happens in the future, but at this stage that’s not on the horizon.”