‘Dream job’: Why All Blacks assistant role ‘suits’ Leon MacDonald
Incoming assistant coach Leon MacDonald will lead the All Blacks’ attack under Scott Robertson from next year, New Zealand Rugby confirmed on Wednesday.
For Blues boss Leon MacDonald, it’s an opportunity to realise his “dream job” with the national team.
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland and Crusaders assistant Scott Hansen will also take up roles in the All Blacks, while Jason Ryan has retained his position as the forwards coach.
In a statement released by NZR, Chief Executive Mark Robinson said the organisation was “pleased” with the decision to sign the “four talented and experienced coaches.”
The coaching quartet will take up their positions in 2024, while incoming head coach Scott Robertson will replace Ian Foster in the All Blacks’ hot seat.
Leon MacDonald, who coached the All Blacks XV last year, had previously been linked with a potential position with Scotland.
But reflecting on his decision to sign this deal with NZR, MacDonald said any other options “weren’t seriously considered” once the All Blacks position became possible.
“I had chats with a few people, just because you don’t know what was going to happen,” MacDonald said, as reported by Newshub.
“It was a good chance to have a bit of a think about what’s next. The All Blacks was always going to be the pinnacle and the dream job.
“The way it’s rolled out has been ideal. Once this role became a bit clearer about where we’re heading, the other options weren’t seriously considered.”
Super Rugby Pacific head coaches Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland had been linked with roles in the All Blacks for quite some time.
Holland added fuel to the fire with comments earlier this month, too, as he revealed that he’d “had a chat” with Scott Robertson.
While the duo seemed likely to take up positions with the national team, nothing was set in stone until Wednesday’s announcement.
“You’ve got to be really, really, really ready to be coach of the All Blacks, it’s definitely not one to rush into,” MacDonald added.
“Razor’s done his time, he’s ready, he’s got runs on the board.
“An assistant role suits me really well at the moment. I’m really proud of what I’ve done with the Blues (but) I think this is a really nice progression for me.
“I’m going to be running the attack, which I’ve done with the Blues. That fits really nicely with me as well, I’ve got a lot of confidence in that area.
“At the moment, I think it’s a great outcome for me.”
But for MacDonald, Holland, Hansen and even Robertson, there’ve still got a job to do this season in Super Rugby Pacific.
With they’ve secured their futures with the All Blacks, a champion is yet to be crowned.
“I was pretty hungry to win it this year, now even more so,” MacDonald said.
“To finish here with a title would be immense and amazing.
“It’ll be a bit different not walking through those doors – it’s been five years here, which is a reasonable stint.
“To win a title would be amazing.”
The Blues are coming off a convincing 55-21 win over the NSW Waratahs at Eden Park, and currently sit in fifth spot on the ladder after nine rounds.
Up next, they’ll take on the Fijian Drua at Churchill Park on Saturday afternoon.
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You forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time.
Go to commentsDanny don't care. He pretends to care but he don't. He says all this stuff to justify his reasoning but no one can claim that legitimately. He knew exactly what he was doing and wondered if his old team mate would overlook it, which he did. Ref has got to be sidelined or properly trained. It's one thing for refs to move up the ranks but if it was me I would require refs to either have played in different clubs or not at all having the temptation to bias in high stakes games like this. This has got to be stamped out. But then again World Rugby is so destroying the game of rugby in an attempt to be more “safe” and “concussion free”. What they are doing is making it more infuriating for the fans and more difficult for the refs to officiate evenly and consistently. It's fast become Australian Rules football. If guys don't want concussions, they should have played chess. Stop complaining you oldies of the game. When they played the game was vastly heavier hitting than it is now but of course they can't see that.
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