KEY POINTS:
The extent of Todd Blackadder's involvement with the Tasman rugby side this domestic season may be clarified tomorrow after union officials meet with their Canterbury counterparts.
Blackadder, chosen last year as Tasman's head coach for the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup campaign, now faces a juggling act after being appointed as Robbie Deans' successor at the Crusaders.
Tasman are anxious that Blackadder be able to retain a role with their squad for the duration of the provincial season though it is inevitable he will also be required to spend a significant amount of time in Christchurch alongside Crusaders' assistant coaches Mark Hammett and Daryl Gibson.
Auckland have faced a similar predicament this season after Pat Lam was named as the successor to David Nucifora at the Blues.
Lam will coach the defending provincial champions up to round five before an as yet unnamed replacement takes over for the remainder of the season.
"We're hoping we'll be able to do better than that," Tasman chief executive Peter Barr said.
"We want to retain him in some sort of role for the whole season."
Tasman's assistant coach Bevan Cadwallader will now bear greater responsibility for preparing the team though it was hoped Blackadder would be available on game day.
Meanwhile, Tasman approach their Air NZ Cup opener against Bay of Plenty in Blenheim on Thursday night with a degree of confidence after recording pre-season wins over Canterbury and Auckland.
They beat both sides 31-19. In between, they lost 7-30 to Counties Manukau.
- NZPA
