Crusaders assistant Tamati Ellison insists he won't put up his hand to replace departing head coach Scott Robertson for next year's Super Rugby Pacific.
After winning six Super Rugby titles with the Christchurch-based side, Robertson has been named as the next All Blacks coach, taking the reins from incumbent Ian Foster after the Rugby World Cup in October/November.
Robertson's coaching staff will include current Crusaders assistant Scott Hansen and former assistant Jason Ryan, with Ellison as a likely candidate for promotion to the top job at the franchise.
The former All Blacks midfielder and Commonwealth Games sevens gold medallist has ruled himself out of contention.
"No, I'm not," said Ellison, 40. "I've really enjoyed it - it's been great for my growth as a coach and I'm definitely keen to stay next year in some capacity, once I get through the Wellington season.
"My focus at the moment is our [defence] and making sure I'm setting the team up as best I can, week to week. I'm conscious there's other parts going on, but I'm really dialled into getting my job right first."
A veteran of 113 Super Rugby games, including stints at the Blues, Hurricanes, Highlanders and Melbourne Rebels, Ellison is due to take control of Wellington in this year's national provincial championship, as he works his way up the coaching ladder.
He credits the Crusaders set-up for helping his development, but considers he needs time as a head coach at the lower level, before stepping up at Super Rugby.
"You normally measure it by the amount of grey hair you've got and I'm heading in the right direction there," he chuckled . "It's been good, especially with Scottie Hansen, and 'Ray' has shown a lot of trust in me to do my job.
"That balance has been good for me and I'm enjoying it. The work doesn't get easier, but you've just got to get better."
Ellison ended his playing career in 2018, after 57 games over nine years for Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, where he was also player-coach.
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