Blackadder and Matson confirm move to Bath
BNZ Crusaders coaches Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson have confirmed that they will head to Bath Rugby Club in England. Blackadder will become the Director of Rugby and Matson has been contracted as Head Coach.
Blackadder has been Head Coach of the BNZ Crusaders for the last eight years, and Matson has been in the Assistant Coach role since 2013. Matson has also been the Attack Coach for the Fiji national team, Assistant Coach for the Maori All Blacks and Canterbury Head Coach in 2012. Blackadder was the Director of Rugby for Tasman before coaching the Crusaders, and also has international experience as assistant coach for Edinburgh
Blackadder said he is looking forward to the next chapter in his coaching career: “I am excited about the new challenge ahead and to be joining another club with a proud history. I have been honoured to coach the Crusaders for the last eight years and it is tough to leave a team that I am so passionate about, but I know that the timing is right for both the team and for me and I will continue to be the Crusaders’ biggest fan from afar.
“It is particularly exciting to be embarking on this new challenge with my good friend and fellow coach Tabai. It will be a great advantage to have a coach there who I already know so well, and I know that Tabai is a fantastic acquisition for Bath Rugby,” Blackadder said.
Matson, in confirming he would not be a part of the 2017 BNZ Crusaders coaching team, said he was ready for a fresh start with Bath Rugby: “It is never an easy decision to move away from a team you have invested a lot in, but having made that decision I am now excited about what lies ahead. It will be awesome to be involved in the European club competitions and to gain some more international experience with a proud team like Bath. It is very rare to move clubs and get the chance to continue to work with a coach who you trust and respect, so I feel lucky to be making this step with Todd,” Matson said
BNZ Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach paid tribute to the two coaches who have given so much to the organisation.
“We are losing two incredibly good men in Todd and Tabai, and they will be sorely missed around here for the huge contribution they each make to the Crusaders culture. We respect and understand their decisions to move on at this time and we wish them only the best for the future. They have each done an enormous amount to help shape this organisation over the last number of years, are very fine coaches and all-round good men, and have been completely committed to the Crusader values in everything they have done. On behalf of everyone at the BNZ Crusaders, I want to thank Todd and Tabai for their immense contributions,” Mr Riach said.
Blackadder and Matson will commence their contracts with Bath Rugby next month. Blackadder has signed for a 3 year team and Matson for 4 years.
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