Blackadder and Matson off to Bath

The outgoing Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder won't miss the "brutal and nasty side" of the job.

Blackadder who is leaving the Crusaders after eight years as head coach, has signed a three year deal with English club Bath.

Tabai Matson, who has been Blackadder's assistant at the Crusaders, is also joining him at Bath having signed a four year deal with the club.

Blackadder said while he would miss the Crusaders set-up and friendships, there were some things he certainly would not miss.

"The scrutiny at times can get very personal, which is just part of the job but it's the darker side of the job and it probably affects your family a lot more. So I am looking forward to getting out of the spotlight a little bit..because some of the stuff out there is pretty brutal and nasty," he said.

Blackadder said one thing he was particularly looking forward to was less travel.

"The structure of the (premiership) competition is really quite different and doesn't have all the travel of Super Rugby and the challenges that poses."

Blackadder said long term he did harbour aspirations of the All Blacks coaching job but did not see himself joining Steve Hansen's staff ahead of the 2019 world cup.

Chief executive of New Zealand Rugby Steve Tew has said that it was likely Hansen's replacement would be part of the coaching setup at the 2019 tournament.

But Blackadder said the move to Bath was not based on that.

He sees himself returning at the end of his three year stint and said he would be happy to take up a provincial coaching role or an assistant coaching role in a Super Rugby franchise.

Blackadder leaves the Crusaders franchise having taken them to Super Rugby finals, but never having won the title.

"It does feel tough...but we gave ourselves every chance and we just weren't quite good enough on the day or the rub of the green just didn't go our way ...and that's just life I suppose."

Blackadder begins his new crusade with Bath next month.