Rob, the image of you in the coach’s box last weekend...

(Penney sighs)

...again painted a very defeated picture. How were you feeling after that game, in that moment?

Which one was this?

It was the image of you right at the end of the game last week, at the weekend, when that game was lost.

Against the Brumbies?

Yes.

How would you like me to respond?

That’s just a question for you.

I’m answering it.

It’s not my opinion.

I’m answering it.

It’s a question for you. You looked defeated.

Looked defeated?

How did you feel in that moment?

Disappointed for the boys, fundamentally, yeah.

How much responsibility do the players have to take in this rut-slash-season?

We’re all in together. It’s a combination of many things and we’ll endeavour to put on a great performance this weekend against the Blues.

What would you do differently?

In what way?

To win more games.

In what way?

I’m not a coach, that’s why I’m asking you, as the expert.

OK.

You’ve lost a number of games, what do you want to do differently to win them going forward?

Probably win those critical moments where we’re just not able to get across the line. We’ve been close a number of times and there’s been moments where for one reason or another we haven’t won the pressure points and been able to get ourselves in front or have consistency. That would probably be something that we would endeavour to improve.

Do you expect to still be here in this role next year?

Absolutely.

Would you consider stepping aside?

No.

If not, would you take on a director of rugby-type role you’re seeing more and more?

I don’t know why that would be mooted.

How hard is it to pick yourselves up for what is going to be a do-or-die match against the Blues on Saturday?

Not at all. Very excited. Not long after the completion of the Brumbies we’d already started to move on to the Blues and the boys were invigorated by the prospect.

As the coach, do you take any responsibility for the series of losses that you’ve seen this year?

Of course.

Where does the blame lie? Does it lie with the players? Does it lie with you?

If you’re looking to apportion blame, I’ll leave that to others. All I know is that everyone in the organisation is working really hard to get the outcomes that we’re deserving and would love to see.

What could you personally do better or change going forward?

I guess there’s elements of every employment situation where you’re looking to improve and get better and that’s just a continual evolution in the role that I’m in and that won’t change, so in terms of myself getting better or improving, I’m just trying to do that all the time and trying to help the people around me do the same.

How are the players feeling about your performance as coach? Have you had much feedback from them?

Yeah, I get it every minute of every day.

What have they said to you?

They’re personal conversations which I’m not prepared to share with you.

What’s the general theme of those conversations? Do they support you as coach?

I wouldn’t be here if I felt otherwise.