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Razor on Leon MacDonald's departure: 'It wasn't meant to start out this way'

The All Blacks coach team (L-R) Jason Ryan, Jason Holland, Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Leon MacDonald pose for a photo during the New Zealand All Blacks International Test Squad Announcement at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on June 24, 2024 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

On the eve of the All Blacks‘ departure for the shores of South Africa, a shock announcement was released stating one of the team’s assistant coaches was stepping down.

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Attack coach Leon MacDonald and his All Blacks colleagues came to the decision to part ways after what head coach Scott Robertson described as philosophical differences on the game and how it should be played.

The pair had worked together for a brief stint at the Crusaders in 2017, a period that clearly left an impression on Robertson as he called upon MacDonald, who had become the Blues head coach, in 2023 as part of his first-choice coaching group once the promotion to All Blacks head honcho was confirmed.

However, after just five Tests the decision has been made to shed some weight off the bulky coaching cohort with MacDonald and Robertson arriving at a “mutual agreement” that it’s time to call it quits.

“Leon’s a really good man, a good person, a really good coach,” the head coach told reporters in Christchurch.

“I’m standing here because we came to a mutual agreement; we feel it’s best for the All Blacks that he steps away. It wasn’t meant to start out this way but this is where we’ve got to.”

Robertson and New Zeaalnd Rugby Head of Professional Rugby and Performance Chris Lendrum shared statements earlier on Thursday that also stressed that the decision is purely rugby-based and some “honest conversations” over a number of weeks had led to the conclusion.

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“Just over the period of time since we started coaching together we just feel like it hasn’t quite clicked. We just haven’t quite lined up where we need to on the rugby side of things. Look, he’s worked really hard, we’ve just got to this point now.”

Robertson wouldn’t go into much detail but went on to offer a very brief explanation of where he and MacDonald differed in opinion.

“Just a little bit of philosophy on rugby, how it was played, and it just didn’t quite click in different aspects.”

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Robertson did confirm difference of opinions around selections, particularly in the backline where MacDonald was tasked with outside back selections, did not play a factor in the decision.

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“There was no intent to get to the point where we are now but we just believe for both of us, for the All Black group, the best thing is to make a call now before we move forward, early. Make a decision, it’s a decision for both of us but we’ve got here.”

The team clarified in their statement that MacDonald would not be replaced this season, with Jason Holland still operating as attack coach while defence coach Scott Hansen and contact skills coach Tamati Ellison will help take up some of MacDonald’s responsibilities.

A meeting with players was held Thursday morning where the announcement was given and the team’s focus returned to the upcoming Tests in South Africa.

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5 Comments
B
Bull Shark 71 days ago

That shot of the coaches is interesting.


Any up and coming Māori coaches who could get a shot in the AB setup?


Have there ever been any? Should be about time.

G
GS 71 days ago

Jamie Joseph,

Clayton McMillan,

Tamiti Ellison (the current AB Assistant Coach).

Leon McDonald,

Tony Brown


And that's just off the top of my head....

D
DP 72 days ago

Too many cooks in that kitchen. Razor stamping his authority at the head of the table can only be a good thing for his players

W
Willie 71 days ago

Agree and what did MacDonald ever achieve as a coach?

W
WH 72 days ago

I imagine small details will slowly trickle out. Coping with the pressure of international rugby regarding results, media scrutiny and public expectations may have heightened all the coaches anxiety levels. The All Blacks attack has been below par somewhat. A pity the two coaches couldn't come to terms with the differences of philosophy. However with the number of coaches involved in preparing the All Blacks, disagreements may occur more often.

G
GrahamVF 72 days ago

Love to know what the differences in coaching styles are. To my eyes there is not a massive difference in the way the AB’s play but it’s hard to know what actually goes on. Would love some insight. NB?

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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