Former Scotland assistant coach Todd Blackadder has been named as the successor to Robbie Deans as boss of the Crusaders.

Blackadder, the head coach of the Tasman Air New Zealand Cup side, has agreed a three-year deal from 2009 and will be assisted by his former Crusaders and New Zealand team-mates Mark Hammett and Daryl Gibson.

The 36-year-old Blackadder, who captained the Crusaders from 1997 to 2001, takes charge of the Super 14 champions following Deans' departure to coach Australia.

Blackadder had five years in Scotland as a player with Edinburgh, a side he coached in 2004-05 season.

He was also appointed assistant coach of Scotland, where he worked alongside Matt Williams at the 2003 World Cup.

Gibson, who will take charge of the backs, is currently coaching in Scotland, where he has been a player-coach with the Glasgow Warriors.

He also played for Guinness Premiership sides Bristol and Leicester Tigers and made 19 Test appearances for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2002.

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