After eight years at the helm, Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder will step down from his post at the end of the 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

Blackadder replaced Robbie Deans after the 2008 season, and although the Crusaders have been unable to add to their seven Super Rugby titles since then, the coach has largely remained popular in Canterbury.

'Moving on at the end of the 2016 season is the right thing for me and the right thing for the team,' Blackadder said. 'I've been so fortunate to be able to do my dream job for all of these years, but eight years is a relatively long time in coaching and I feel the time is right for someone else to take the reins and lead the team in their own direction in the future.'

Blackadder, who has steered the Crusaders to the play-offs in six of his seven seasons in charge, said he had no definite plans beyond next season at this stage.

'I am thinking no further ahead than the season that is in front of me. I am incredibly excited about the 2016 season and what happens beyond that is immaterial right now.'

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