Blackadder’s record solid — but solid doesn’t cut

Todd Blackadder will finish up with the Crusaders at the end of the next campaign, signing off on a coaching tenure that somehow managed to both impress and disappoint.

What happens in 2016 will have an effect on how his reign is ultimately judged but even winning the title won’t change the prevailing view that he’ll walk away renowned as a good rather than excellent coach. The dis- tinction matters in Christchurch, a city that became used to winning titles in the first decade of Super Rugby.

Between 1996 and 2008, the Crusaders were crowned Super Rugby champions seven times. Since Blackadder took over in 2009, they haven’t added to their total.

They have been beaten finalists twice and beaten semifinalists four other times. But no title.

Plenty of other franchises would love to have emulated the achievements of the Crusaders since 2009, but Blackadder hasn’t been coaching other franchises. He’s been coaching the Crusaders where the expectations and benchmarks are higher.

He’s taken them so close without being able to clear that last hurdle. In 2011, the demands of having to play away from home every week — AMI Stadium had been destroyed in the earthquakes — caught up with the Crusaders in the final against the Reds.

They had been on the road for months and, having already travelled to London and South Africa, they had to return to the Republic to play the semifinal in Cape Town before going