Blackadder’s parting shot at Super Rugby
Coaches, players, supporters and the Crusaders region Todd Blackadder will miss. Not so the competition Super Rugby has become.
Outside the test area it may still produce some of the world’s best rugby but one of Sanzaar’s premier products has, in many respects, become a coach’s nightmare.
Like his counterparts, Blackadder sucked up the seemingly constant change during his eight-year tenure, watching the competition gradually expand; travel boundaries stretch and finals format become so blatantly unfair even Donald Trump supporters could see through the propaganda.
Blackadder will battle to cut ties with many aspects when he and Crusaders assistant Tabai Matson leave for English club Bath next month, but the Super Rugby format won’t be one.
‘‘There’ll be some things I won’t miss like the competition structure, especially this year and even last year. It’s not fair on those teams that perform consistently all competition,’’ Blackadder said. ‘‘I know Sanzaar came out pretty strongly and said ‘this is the format’ but I don’t think anyone with their feet on the ground would agree with it.
‘‘I won’t miss that, or the travel factor. Somewhere along the line it needs a working party. It’s been 21 years and we definitely need some influence. The refereeing needs a bit of consistency as well. In spite of all the negatives I’ve loved coaching against the New Zealand teams. Our conference is so strong and develops the world’s best talent to play for the All Blacks.
‘‘I’ve learnt a lot from my experiences; all the highs and the lows. I feel I’m a better coach and person because of that.’’
Blackadder was in the mix for the Reds coaching role but after meeting Bath managing director Tarquin McDonald and retired captain Stuart Hooper he knew immediately where his future lay.
‘‘The Reds job was really attractive because it’s going to be a big job to turn it around and they’re hungry for success as well. But, I felt for me and [wife] Priscilla, Bath was more attractive. I think they’ve got the right guy at the Reds in Nick Stiles.
‘‘The exciting thing was to get out of Super Rugby for a couple of years and look at a different culture with a different competition. I’m looking forward to the structure of the week without the travel and it’s a beautiful place to live.’’
The contracts of Blackadder (three-year deal as director of rugby) and Matson (four-year agreement as head coach) were negotiated individually.
‘‘It’s great visionary foresight by Bath to get the both of us because it’s going to make that transition so much easier than one head coach going in and trying to make changes.’’
Blackadder’s second coaching stint abroad, following his time with Edinburgh in 2005/06, will see the 44-year-old leave any All Blacks coaching aspirations at the door for now.
‘‘At the moment it’s probably not on my radar for a lot of good reasons. I don’t think for me you could be seriously considered for the role at this time. They’ve got Steve there for another few years and New Zealand have got some fantastic coaches.’’