MacDonald Quits All Blacks Over Coaching Clash with Razor

All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has quit his role just before the team's crucial two-match tour of South Africa, citing disagreements with head coach Scott Robertson. In this video, we dive into the details of this shocking departure, explore the tension between the coaches, and discuss what this means for the All Blacks as they head into one of their toughest tours.

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[shitstorm]

A mate of my mates second cousins personal trainer's best mates third cousin was told it was because Leon McDonald helped himself to a tim tam without asking first. Fists were thrown and a tim tam was lost in the scuffle. Unforgivable and Leon is lucky he wasn't fired.

[BillWhitlingham]

I'd love to have heard those "honest" conversations

[andrewkade]

Well let’s put this in perspective, 5 games in and the broom gets put through the make up of the team. We had years, of poor balance within the foster era before they got forced to change it.
This feels positive to me.

[DarkMoonWayfarer]

I had a look back at Leon MacDonald's appearance on The Breakdown from a couple months back...
...and he said that they had they collectively had their style of play sorted pre Christmas 🎄🎁.

So, the excuse rolled out to the media about differing philosophies is obviously B.S.

What was interesting was that Leon specifically said he was assigned the back 3 for the All Black's, and was responsible for studying every wing and fullback in the country in detail.

He also said that the selection process was different than he'd ever experienced before because you had to present your selections along with everyone else and then they would debate them.

If you think about this....

And look at the back 3 in the first five games, they're mostly Blues and Canterbury players (so you could question the coaching group's preferences and allegiances).

Stephen Perofeta at fullback, Reece and Tele'a on the wings for the English tests.

Barrett, Clarke and Reece for Fiji.

Then against Argentina we have Will Jordan returning from injury, he's on the bench (and comes on at wing later in the game). Barrett at fullback, Reece and Tele'a on the wings.

The All Blacks lose that game and it would have been turmoil in the All Black camp.

Then we oddly have both wingers dropped for the second test (as if they were the problem, when it was actually the forward pack).

Remember, Leon MacDonald has said he was given the focus of the back 3, yet you had to debate with the other coaches for your selections.
Also remember that the starting loose forwards remained the same for the second test, which seemed odd at the time as they were totally dominated in the first test.

So, we have the two wingers replaced (McDonald's department) and also we have Will Jordan starting on the wing, even though Robertson has specifically said that he sees him as a fullback.
Clarke is on the other wing and Barrett at fullback.

If you take all of this into account and the timing of Leon MacDonald's departure. It seems to me that he probably felt he wasn't being listened to and his selections for wing and fullback dismissed or overruled.

I think there's probably some favoritism with certain players and the Blues/Crusaders selection dynamics for the back 3 probably play into this.

I could imagine that Robertson wanted Will Jordan on the field and shoehorned him onto the wing.

It would then probably be a case of "see, we were right about changing the wings" after the All Blacks demolished Argentina (even though it was the forwards stepping up that changed the dynamics of the game).

Some of the coaching group could be a little clicky and MacDonald felt on the outside (there's so many Canterbury links there with these guys).

Anyway, to me that's what it seems like has happened. The reason rolled out to the public is clearly a load of nonsense.

[mattybhoy]

100%. As a south African I dont think NZers realise how spoilt they've been for good coaches. We had heyneke meyer who bled Jack all talent and youth during his time and kept all the old players with huge ego and personality. Those guys then left, he left and the job was then tossed to AC ( who I don't think was the right coach) but he was left with an absolute lemon of a situation rushing to select the right guys. We then got Rassie and even then it took him so time to implement his ethos and develop the players in the team.

This is the first time in a long time Znew Zealand has had a wobbly with coaches. Razor has an outstanding stellar record, I think hes earned his way into the ABs coaching roll and I think he is entitled to a bit of time to implement his philosophy.

I've seen some diabolically harsh criticism of the guy from NZ Pundits and Fans alike. The guy deserves a flipping chance and support. Rome was not built in a day.

I also think new Zealand the past 5 years have fiddled way too much with their backs. Beauden Barrett in my view, the best flyhalf sinse carter her is rotated into all sorts of positions! The guy was world player of the year twice consecutively and they then start putting him into all sorts of positions etc. You didn't see any of this happen in nz from 2011-2015. Guys mastered there positions. Only seldom changed. Now in the backs you have guys kind of good at alot of things but masters of none. Thats a huge task. I also think there are some bug egos in that NZ team, guys thinking theyee entitled to positons, that will be scrapped im sure of it

His man management is top tier and he deserves it. Have some patience my NZ Brothers, you guys are brutal 😂. Iol bet many of youll will wat humble pie when he starts wracking up the wins

[sorayadavids]

Too many cooks spoil the broth…. My opinion.

[janhbhugo]

Wish the All Blacks well and hope the change is not too disruptive!

[Jon-bkyw]

Probably what was needed, sounds like Leon wasn't happy there glad razor and leon had rhe difficult conversations all the best for your coaching career going forward Leon

[deborahlawson]

I don’t know anything about coaching rugby but managing 9 people which is what Razor has got himself into with all these assistant coaches must be a nightmare

[aza]

Good analysis no panicking. Just the way I like it. Keep up the good work 👍

[RiaanLouw]

Dammit. Why do the All Blacks coaches always have to be in turmoil just before an Ellis Park test? Boks are cooked...:(

[benrobinson]

A shock resignation at this stage. Its hard to know whether this will be good or not, but if there were disagreements then its probably for the best.

[joshhudson]

It's a shock to be sure, but definately not panic mode. We have way too many coaches as it is, and to be fair if its not working, better him leave 5 games in now rather than have another plumtree and moore situation where they got fired 2 and half seasons in. Not saying leon is a bad coach, but its better its happened now

[rudolphduplooy]

As a SA I would not panic! AB will be a very hard team to beat anyway. Also, we have a tendency to relax when we shouldn’t .

[petercanton]

Does this mean he takes the Crusaders head coach role now because he’s qualified and his heart is always been at Christchurch 🤔

[ybhiusp]

Certainly something has been off on the attacking front. Seemed very rudderless the first few tests, and I suspect Leon was already on the way out last week as they finally got some direction.

[patrickjames]

you do a very good job summarizing stuff

[Codename-jackle]

As they say in business, hire slow and fire fast. So looks like a brave move but kudos to them.
PS how big did Leons biceps look in the pic. Looks more stacked now than when he was an AB lol

[franzfanz]

I always knew this was part of a nefarious plan by the Crusaders to get the most successful coach the Blues had in years away from the franchise. They just didn't count on Stern Vern.

[Hatunrumioc]

Razor said something that i thought was pretty strange when talking about what he looks for in his assistants. His main trait was loyalty to him. Not experience, knowledge, effectiveness etc but loyalty to him in the past.