NZR press conference after All Blacks assistant coach MacDonald quits team | RNZ | 22 August 2024

NZ Rugby head of professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said: "You've got two great coaches who have been having some robust but constructive discussions on the approach to drive the All Blacks over a period of time now. Ultimately, they have made a brave decision that they believe is best for the team," Lendrum said.

[MrAdmvp]

That’s what happens when you hire too many head coaches and expect all but one of them to be assistants

[Fletcher]

Good decision by all parties involved. Good luck Leon McDonald. I'm sure he'll pick up a coaching gig somewhere else after his break.
Great transparentsey by the NZRU. Get it out of the way nice and early, clear the air, inform the public, keep moving forward. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Awesome to see more pressure being piled on the ABs. This is real character building stuff. How the ABs respond to this pressure will be a good indicator on how they move forward for the rest of the year.
The last time this happened Jason Ryan was brought into the squad and the ABs beat the Boks at altitude. They uncovered gems like de Groot, Lomax and Newell.
Yeah, this is good sign. They will respond in the positive. I'm really feeling a lot more confident about our chances in the next two games now. I think we'll win both games, but if we don't, as long as we're able to compete and push the Boks to the end, that's something to build on.

[NathanAAASmith]

Oh no, now they’ve only got a head coach, forwards coach, assistant/attack coach, defence coach, specialist attack coach, a performance coach, mental coach, fitness coach and a nutrition coach.

[NZkumarasoup]

It's a good call, things weren't working internally so a decision was needed. Decision made.
Move on now, focus on the future.

[mkultra]

hahaha - so what was the "alignment" problem? So many questions and so many non answers. Closed doors. No transparency

[redneckReno]

Had a feeling that wasn't gonna work out. But didn't think Leon would bail on the AB's job.

[deanhubbard]

Wonder if this is why Razor was looking so stressed b4 2nd Argentina game ???

[Marius_vanderLubbe]

razor is the head coach. I assitants and players (senior players) aren't behinf him, get rid of them.

[mcgilling]

The newstalk ZB microphone is pointing at Leon in the background. Is Razor on the wall as well?

[etienneholmes]

Coach quits after only 5 test. Major red lights for

[actiaint]

The differences need to be explained. Not a good look, should have been sorted prior to season.

[ravineshgosai]

Good decision. There had been too many coaches. Players might have been victimised for their roles by some coaches. I think it's too much to process as a player for understanding and executing what each coaches demand. No doubt both the coaches are good in their own ways. Best of luck for Leon.

[IHeartRugy-qkxn]

So when they went to interview Leon, how did that process happen and what was being asked? because if his alignment changed from the moment he was looking at the role to now, then Leon is off and changed his agenda.

[fidget]

Why the ABs need what is it 7? coaches is beyond me.

[greylynnjr]

Good. Leon stuffed the blues during covid and we lost that year. He changed the lineup right when we had foot on the throat of crusaders. Never rated him after that

[Anti-terrorist]

"Razor" doing what he does it's my way or the highway.
Hard times ahead for the AB's...

[luapdrareve]

These things happen in large professional organisations - sometimes people simply don't align. I don't see any benefit to go through the real detail of what the differences were - that just stirs up unnecessary drama that the AB's don't need. To me this has been handled vey professionally and we should just put it behind us and support the team and coaches. Here's to a great tour to SA!

[jerome]

Look at the brains trust/experience of the coaching of S.A. versus the experience of the A.B. coaching staff... Why can they work together and 2 Kiwis, Razor and Leon cannot work together

[michaelpaul]

Well Leon McDonald should go
and aply for assistant with Australia

[nate]

Good quick desicion.

Let's move on.

All the best Leon I'm sure you'll do well.