Penney and Crusaders off the bottom with convincing win over Rebels 

RELIEF: Head coach Rob Penney of the Crusaders reacts after the win. Pic: Kai Schwoerer, Getty Images

Defending Super Rugby champions, Crusaders, fanned their faint playoff hopes Friday with a six-try, 39-0 win over the fourth-placed Melbourne Rebels, quelling talk that head coach Rob Penney was under pressure after a disastrous 1-7 start.

The win was only the Crusaders’ second in nine games this season but temporarily bounced them off the bottom of the championship ladder and brightened their chances of reaching the quarterfinals with five matches remaining.