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Wellington assistant coach Tamati Ellison, left, speaks to Julian Savea before a NPC game last season. Ellison will be involved with the Crusaders’ coaching group.
Following a stint in Japan with Ricoh Black Rams, he returned to New Zealand to link up with the Highlanders for their 2012 and 2013 seasons, before making his way back to Japan and the Black Rams.
He finished his Super Rugby playing career in 2016 after three seasons with the Rebels, returning to Japan again.
Ellison has a number of national honours to his name, pulling on the black jersey for the Junior All Blacks and Māori All Blacks between 2005 and 2009, and winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal with the New Zealand Sevens team in 2006.