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Leon McDonald named to coach All Blacks XV

Photo by Evan Barnes/Getty Images

Leon MacDonald has been announced as Head Coach of the All Blacks XV and will guide the team on a two-match end-of-year tour.

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Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen were announced as Assistant Coaches of the team.

MacDonald, who played 56-Tests for the All Blacks, and is the current Head Coach of the Blues Super Rugby team, said the tour would provide a huge challenge and a valuable experience for the players selected.

“It’s an honour to coach any team with the silver fern on the jersey and I’m looking forward to coaching a strong squad for what will be two tough matches. This team is representing New Zealand on the world stage and we will be taking that responsibility very seriously, particularly as the first group to wear the All Blacks XV jersey.”

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The match against the Barbarians will be played on November 13 at the 62 000 capacity Tottenham Stadium, the home venue for English Premier League football side Tottenham Hotspur. While the Ireland A match will be played in front of a passionate Dublin crowd at RDS Arena on November 4.

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NZR Head of High-Performance Mike Anthony said: “The quality of these matches will present an ideal challenge and opportunity to experience different playing styles and get exposure to overseas touring. To play against international opposition, in front of large, passionate crowds is invaluable for our next tier of talent a year out from RWC 2023.”

NZR has formed an exclusive partnership with sports promotion company Rugby Live (RL) to arrange the All Blacks XV matches. NZR has worked with RL on previous occasions including two All Blacks Tests in Chicago, one All Blacks Test in Washington DC and the UK Barbarians match in 2017.

“The All Blacks XV will be a world-class, competitive team that we believe will be a drawcard for overseas rugby fans wanting to watch players with the skills, passion and pride that are the hallmark of rugby teams representing New Zealand. We are excited about taking the All Blacks XV to the world,” Rugby Live CEO Ben Dunn said.

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Easy_Duzz-it 34 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The world never caught up the All Blacks just went backwards . After 2015 they had a plan to build the team around 2 players . Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett , Cane was hailed as the next Mccaw and Barrett the next carter . Unfortunately Cane sustained too many injures and Barrett despite being a great ball runner didn't have a high enough conversion rate or the game management skills to control the team and the game . Then to make matters worst , the selections were so bad year after year the forward pack became shockingly weak .

New Zealand had so much talent wasted betwen 2016 - 2023 . Laumape , elliot dixon , ben tamefuna , pita gus , ben lam , vaea fifita and so many other in form players that never got a look or the time to develop into great All Blacks .


Then you have the dual playmaker system that never worked , but they kept using it . why ? cause some men cant admit when they're wrong . thats the All Blacks between 2016-2023 . wrong coaches with the wrong vision , going in the wrong direction . now it appears the world caught up . but like I said the world never caught up . then you add the obvious flawed referee calls that happen to go against us more often then for us now . the worst of which that never gets called is when the opposition use rush defence but have players offside . this has been going for years , but who cares ? .


anyway its almost 10 and i need to get some shut eye .

Go the might All Blacks !!!!

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LONG READ Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline? Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?
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