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Ex-Crusaders assistant coach Tamati Ellison joins All Blacks full-time
By Finn Morton
Another former member of the Crusadersā coaching staff has agreed to a full-time role with the All Blacks under Scott Robertson. On Friday, it was announced that Tamati Ellison has accepted a permanent position ahead of the teamās end-of-season tour.
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Ellison was initially brought into the All Blacksā environment as a part-time contact skills coach, but the 41-year-old has since taken on extra responsibilities. When Leon MacDonald resigned ahead of the trip to South Africa, Ellisonās role with the team expanded.
It seems āRazorā Robertson has rewarded Ellison for his efforts by bringing the four-Test All Black into the coaching setup on a full-time basis. Ellison completes a trio of former Crusaders assistants now coaching the national team, joining Jason Ryan and Scott Hansen.
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This appointment means that Ellison will not return to the Crusaders, where he served as the teamās defence coach from 2021 before taking on an assistant coach role this year to lead the attack strategy. But, as Ellison explained, the All Blacks is āthe pinnacle.ā
āIām very honoured and excited to step into the All Blacks environment full-time,ā Ellison said in a statement. āAs a player, itās the pinnacle of your playing career to wear the black jersey, and itās no different as a coach.
āI have loved my time at the Crusaders. The high standards expected day to day and the care to support you in achieving those high standards are two things that will stay with me forever.ā
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Ellison brings a wealth of experience into the All Blacksā setup, both as a player and a coach. The former All Black played four Test matches, starting with a debut in 2009 against Italy before facing Ireland, South Africa and Scotland in 2012.
The product of Poriruaās Mana College went on to play 45 games for Wellington at the provincial level, as well as six appearances for Otago. Ellison also donned the famed yellow strip of the Hurricanes during a solid career, as well as stints with the Blues and Highlanders.
Team New Zealand won a Commonwealth Games gold medal with Ellison among their ranks in 2006, and the utility back would also go on to play more than 50 matches for Ricoh Black Rams in Japan. It was quite a career, and Ellison continued to excel as a coach.
āHeās had a huge impact over the last couple of years with us and we thoroughly appreciate his contribution,ā Crusaders CEO, Colin Mansbridge, explained.
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āOne of the core goals of the Crusaders as an organisation and a rugby club is growing our people whether that be players, coaching or staff.ā
Head coach Rob Penney added: āWeāre completely unsurprised the All Blacks have seen the value in him assuming a full-time role. To have someone who can coach both sides of the ball at an elite level is rare.
āOn behalf of the coaching and playing group, we wish you all the best with the black jersey.ā
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So how many coaches does NZ have now? 11? How much coaching do these modern day all blacks need anyway?
I wonder if Razor isn't surrounding himself with pals and yes-men.
Agree. It's pretty ridic. I question how our game plan and messaging to the players can be consistent when they're hearing from so many people. Would also like to see some coaches from somewhere other than the Crusaders. It doesn't feel like there's going to be much innovation when the whole coaching team has just been cut and pasted. Hopefully all my qualms will be put to rest and I will be proven wrong about all of this.
Obviously maths wasn't a gd subject at school for u bro ..no idea where u got 11 from ..just more made up crap I guess ..the more crusaders former coaching staff in the all blacks is just mighty fine from us
Red collar or red stripe down the shorts as a finishing touch? The old Crusader weakness - the failure to read the room.
We can read the room just fine bro ..it sits right next door to our overflowing trophy š cabinet..don't worry the abs will be all crusaders next year ..old crusaders weakness really where u get that from bro ..for years we put up with the north island running everything now its our turn ..enjoy
Sweet, massive depth at coach if we pick up a niggle.
Can he play 10? Bit light there.
10 is not the problem, it gets too much attention, year in, year out.