MacDonald quits as All Blacks assistant coach after “differences” with head coach Robertson

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Leon MacDonald quit as assistant coach of the All Blacks ahead of the squad’s departure for two Rugby Championship tests in South Africa over what head coach Scott Robertson described as “differing views.”

MacDonald is a former head coach of the Blues in Super Rugby and previously worked as an assistant to Robertson at the Christchurch-based Crusaders.

His departure, announced Thursday, was sudden and unexpected.

“Leon and I have been having some honest conversations with each other for a little while now,” Robertson said. “As coaches we have differing views and both agreed it wasn’t working. Leon and I both care deeply about the All Blacks and we believe we’ve made a decision that’s best for this team.

“There’s a huge amount of respect and appreciation for Leon in the group and the work he’s put in to get us to this point in our journey. As a team we have acknowledged that contribution and our focus now needs to be on South Africa. It’s going to be two tough test matches over there.”

The nature of the differences between MacDonald and Robertson has not been revealed. But MacDonald’s departure is the first sign of a crack in the substantial coaching set-up Robertson has created for New Zealand’s national team.

Apart from MacDonald, the coaching team included Jason Holland, Jason Ryan, Scott Hansen, Tamati Ellison and others with ancillary roles.

“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,” New Zealand Rugby’s head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said. “Ultimately, they have made a brave decision that they believe is best for the team.”

There has been criticism of some aspects of the All Blacks’ selections, performance and coaching team from some former All Blacks. The size of the team has been questioned and the selection of players out of position also has been challenged.

The All Blacks have won four and lost one test so far under Robertson, who took over from Ian Foster. New Zealand won two mid-year tests against England and one against Fiji but split a two-test series with Argentina in the Rugby Championship.

They will play World Cup champion South Africa at Johannesburg on Aug. 31 and at Cape Town on Sept. 7 in the next stage of the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby