The Crusaders assistant coach Tabai Matson says he's committed to his current role at the Crusaders, despite reports linking him with the Blues.
Crusaders assistant coach Tabai Matson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Matson says he wants nothing more than to help the Crusaders towards the playoffs this season and he's sorry about any unnecessary distraction that the speculation around his future has caused.
The former Canterbury centre says he loves the team and he certainly wasn't out looking for a new coaching role because he's very happy where he is.
Matson admits he's had initial conversations with Blues management and confirms he was approached by the Blues about whether he would consider a move to their coaching team in the future should the opportunity arise.
But he says aside from those initial discussions, nothing further in the way of any formal offer was considered.
And Matson says those conversations are now over, and he's really committed to finishing the campaign and the following season of his contract with the Crusaders.
He says he made the decision not to take those discussions any further because he's committed to the Crusaders.
"I want to unequivocally assure my Crusaders colleagues, the players and our supporters that I am still as committed to this team as I was at the start of the season, that my heart is still fully in this and that I am looking forward to helping this team go as far as it can go over the remaining weeks of this exciting and close competition."
Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach welcomed Matson's re-commitment and says that it would continue to be business as usual for the team as they work hard to climb the ladder into play-off contention.
He says they're confident from the conversations that they've had with Tabai that he is as committed to this team as ever.
Riach says he's an excellent coach and it would be no wonder if his skills were sought after elsewhere, however Tabai has assured us that he is not considering any move to the Blues or any other team at this point in his career.
Matson is contracted with the Crusaders til the end of 2016.
