WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Crusaders Super Rugby coach Todd Blackadder says he will step down at the end of the 2016 season after eight years in charge.
A former Crusaders and All Blacks captain, Blackadder took over from Robbie Deans as head coach in 2009. He has coached the Crusaders to four semifinals and two finals but has yet to add to the franchise's tally of seven championship titles.
Blackadder said ''eight years is a relatively long time in coaching and I feel that the time is right for someone else to take the reins and lead the team in their own direction in the future.''
Chief executive Hamish Riach said Blackadder had played for the Crusaders when the franchise was established in 1996 and had a continuous role with the team since. Riach said ''he has a kind of cult hero status around these parts.''
