The Wellington newspaper also reported that the two Canterbury stalwarts would be assisted by another former Crusader in Daryl Gibson.

The Crusaders lost their coach after winning the title this year when Robbie Deans signed a four-year deal to coach Australia.

"We are aware of the speculation, and that's all it is at the moment," Ellis said.

"We have not made an announcement and we're not ready to at this stage.

"There is still work going on, and until we have completed that we can't really comment because it would be unfair to everybody."

Ellis said confirmation of the Crusaders coaching lineup for 2009 could be made as early as tomorrow.

Former All Blacks captain Blackadder played and coached in Scotland after ending his New Zealand playing career in 2001.

He played 71 games for the Crusaders and 128 matches for Canterbury. He captained the All Blacks in 10 of his 12 tests.

Blackadder is the Tasman coach in the Air NZ Cup while Hammett assisted Deans at Super 14 level this year.