Crusaders’ assistant Daryl Gibson has quit the Super Rugby franchise suddenly, saying he doesn’t want to be solely a defence coach next year.

Gibson, who has been part of the Crusaders’ coaching team for four years, made the announcement on Wednesday.

In his new role for the 2013 season, he would have focused specifically on defence while another coach would look after attack.

But Gibson said he had decided it was not where his immediate future lay.

“It is time for me to forge my own path now – as shown by many Crusaders’ assistant coaches, such as Colin Cooper and Vern Cotter – who have gone on to other exciting things,” Gibson said.

He said he had a fantastic four years with the Crusaders, but was “very excited about the future and I see this as a positive change in my rugby career”.

His next role will be assistant coach to Jamie Joseph for the Maori All Blacks’ three-match tour of the United Kingdom in November.

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach and head coach Todd Blackadder said it was sad to see Gibson go but they wished him well.

With Gibson’s resignation, the Crusaders would reconsider their two coaching roles.

Gibson, a midfield back, was a founding member of the Crusaders’ franchise in 1996 and played 77 games for them. He played 19 Tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2002.