AUCKLAND - Head coach Rob Penney compared the Canterbury Crusaders to a misfiring engine as the defending champions look to snap their horror start to the Super Rugby season.
After winning the last seven titles in a row, the Crusaders have endured four straight defeats to begin the campaign -- their worst run since the competition started in 1996.
They sit second from last in the table and face a tough away game at the Auckland Blues on Saturday.
The under-pressure Penney used the analogy of a spluttering vehicle. "We're probably an eight-cylinder motor running on six cylinders and the choke is out," he told reporters.
It has been a terrible start for Penney, who replaced Scott Robertson when he left last year to coach the All Blacks.
The Crusaders are struggling to match the lofty standards set during the Robertson era after losing a wealth of experience.
Fly-half Richie Mo'unga and veteran lock Sam Whitelock are now playing in Japan and France respectively.
Injury has also hit hard. Captain Scott Barrett is sidelined with a fractured finger. Fellow All Blacks forwards Tamaiti Williams (hamstring) and Ethan Blackadder (calf) are also injured.
Star back Will Jordan is out for the season after shoulder surgery. Former British & Irish Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny tore a chest muscle in a pre-season game.
Veteran All Blacks prop Owen Franks is suspended for the next two matches for foul play.
Penney admits his winless team are not where he wants them to be.
"Absolutely not. For the bounce of the ball or a couple of decisions and a bit more game management on our behalf, we wouldn't be here," he said.
"We're learning and growing together. We feel we are getting close."