Assistant coach MacDonald departs All Blacks over differences with Robertson

New Zealand assistant coach Leon MacDonald has left the All Blacks after clashing with head coach Scott Robertson over the direction of the team, New Zealand Rugby said on Thursday.

MacDonald’s departure comes ahead of the two-test tour of South Africa and despite the All Blacks winning four out of their five tests in Robertson’s first season in charge.

In frank comments in a New Zealand Rugby statement, Robertson said the relationship with his attack specialist wasn’t working.

“Leon and I have been having some honest conversations with each other for a little while now,” said Robertson.

“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.”

Assistant coach Scott Hansen and contact skills coach Tamati Ellison will take on additional responsibilities for the remainder of the season, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said.

The NZR statement did not include comment from MacDonald but said it was a mutual parting of ways.

The governing body’s Head of Professional Rugby and Performance Chris Lendrum endorsed the decision.

“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,” he said.

“Ultimately, they have made a brave decision that they believe is best for the team.

“Leon is a highly regarded coach and has made a huge contribution to rugby across a number of teams in New Zealand, and we’d love to have him back in our system in the future.

“For now, I’d like to thank him on behalf of NZR and wish him all the very best.”

The All Blacks opened the season with two tight wins over England before fielding a second-string team to thrash Fiji 47-5 in San Diego.

Their Rugby Championship title defence started poorly with a 38-30 defeat by Argentina in Wellington but they rebounded with a dominant 42-10 win over the Pumas at Eden Park last weekend.

The All Blacks face world champions South Africa in Johannesburg on Aug 31 and in Cape Town a week later.