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Leon MacDonald Quits

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Sports Talk
allblacks
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  • Dan54D Dan54

    @Jet said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    @Frank said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    Genuinely a concern that the coaching group is falling apart after only 5 tests. They have worked together before and I would hope of known what was expected promised etc. Not sure this is what we were sold.

    Are my eyes deceiving me or are you questioning the coaches?

    Is it the status quo actually changing that makes you uncomfortable?

    I questioning the fact that coaching group seems to be falling apart? Yes.
    I genuinely thought before you put group together you kind of make sure you have same philosophy on coaching.
    Seems if you read it I just actually agreeing with Razor, he f***ed up forming his team.
    Interesting thing is I recall reading a Jason Holland interview where he said he left Crusaders because his and Razor had piliosophical differences in coaching. It was in Rugby News in last couple if years, said they were good mates but didn't work as a group.

    Its like marrying a bird and finding out 3 months in she doesnt want kids.

    Bizarre that they didnt due their "due diligence" on each other before proposing/accepting the roles.

    Appreciate the ruthlessness in moving on quickly though.

    I still genuinely wonder if they got one too many in front line coaches. I tend to think 1 for forwards , 1 for backs and a boss should help with clarity of who or what does what?

    D Offline
    D Offline
    darylmitchell
    wrote on last edited by darylmitchell
    #198

    @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    @Jet said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    @Frank said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

    Genuinely a concern that the coaching group is falling apart after only 5 tests. They have worked together before and I would hope of known what was expected promised etc. Not sure this is what we were sold.

    Are my eyes deceiving me or are you questioning the coaches?

    Is it the status quo actually changing that makes you uncomfortable?

    I questioning the fact that coaching group seems to be falling apart? Yes.
    I genuinely thought before you put group together you kind of make sure you have same philosophy on coaching.
    Seems if you read it I just actually agreeing with Razor, he f***ed up forming his team.
    Interesting thing is I recall reading a Jason Holland interview where he said he left Crusaders because his and Razor had piliosophical differences in coaching. It was in Rugby News in last couple if years, said they were good mates but didn't work as a group.

    Its like marrying a bird and finding out 3 months in she doesnt want kids.

    Bizarre that they didnt due their "due diligence" on each other before proposing/accepting the roles.

    Appreciate the ruthlessness in moving on quickly though.

    I still genuinely wonder if they got one too many in front line coaches. I tend to think 1 for forwards , 1 for backs and a boss should help with clarity of who or what does what?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_national_rugby_union_team#Coaches

    Steve Borthwick Head Coach / Lineout Coach
    Richard Wigglesworth Attack Coach
    Felix Jones Defence Coach
    Kevin Sinfield Skills & Kicking Coach
    Tom Harrison Scrum Coach
    Aled Walters Head of Strength & Conditioning
    Tom Tombleson Strength & Conditioning Coach
    Richard Hill Team Manager
    Andrew Strawbridge Coaching Consultant
    George Kruis Lineout Consultant
    Jonny Wilkinson Kicking Consultant

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • D Offline
      D Offline
      darylmitchell
      wrote on last edited by darylmitchell
      #199

      @Dan54

      South Africa have more full-time coaches than All Blacks even with Leon (5), Ellison Hill and Flynn were only part-time and spent a few hours a week at most.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team.

      Rassie Erasmus Director of Rugby
      Jerry Flannery Defence Coach
      Tony Brown Attack Coach
      Deon Davids Forwards Coach
      Mzwandile Stick Backs Coach
      Duane Vermeulen Assistant Coach
      Daan Human Scrum Consultant
      Jaco Peyper Laws Adviser

      And yes Peyper, Vermeulen, Human are full-time, they do media press conferences.

      Can we please stop this misconception that Razor has too many assistant coaches?

      BonesB Dan54D 2 Replies Last reply
      0
      • D darylmitchell

        @Chris-B said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

        There's some rugbypass articles that talk about the "Shark Attack" pod system, Leon developed at Ta$man and apparently continued using at the Blues.

        source please? can't just not provide a link, you could be making it up for all we know.

        ACT CrusaderA Offline
        ACT CrusaderA Offline
        ACT Crusader
        wrote on last edited by
        #200

        @darylmitchell said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

        @Chris-B said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

        There's some rugbypass articles that talk about the "Shark Attack" pod system, Leon developed at Ta$man and apparently continued using at the Blues.

        source please? can't just not provide a link, you could be making it up for all we know.

        Awful analysis, incorrect conclusions, zero insight
        Wrong about pretty much everything

        We don’t post sources or links but will name drop…

        1 Reply Last reply
        7
        • D darylmitchell

          @Dan54

          South Africa have more full-time coaches than All Blacks even with Leon (5), Ellison Hill and Flynn were only part-time and spent a few hours a week at most.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team.

          Rassie Erasmus Director of Rugby
          Jerry Flannery Defence Coach
          Tony Brown Attack Coach
          Deon Davids Forwards Coach
          Mzwandile Stick Backs Coach
          Duane Vermeulen Assistant Coach
          Daan Human Scrum Consultant
          Jaco Peyper Laws Adviser

          And yes Peyper, Vermeulen, Human are full-time, they do media press conferences.

          Can we please stop this misconception that Razor has too many assistant coaches?

          BonesB Offline
          BonesB Offline
          Bones
          wrote on last edited by
          #201

          @darylmitchell said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

          Can we please stop this misconception that Razor has too many assistant coaches?

          Only if we don't trounce SA. I still maintain England aren't a great team under Borthwick, so not sure they're a good yardstick.

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • D darylmitchell

            @Dan54

            South Africa have more full-time coaches than All Blacks even with Leon (5), Ellison Hill and Flynn were only part-time and spent a few hours a week at most.

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team.

            Rassie Erasmus Director of Rugby
            Jerry Flannery Defence Coach
            Tony Brown Attack Coach
            Deon Davids Forwards Coach
            Mzwandile Stick Backs Coach
            Duane Vermeulen Assistant Coach
            Daan Human Scrum Consultant
            Jaco Peyper Laws Adviser

            And yes Peyper, Vermeulen, Human are full-time, they do media press conferences.

            Can we please stop this misconception that Razor has too many assistant coaches?

            Dan54D Offline
            Dan54D Offline
            Dan54
            wrote on last edited by Dan54
            #202

            @darylmitchell Yep mate, I know we have has kicking coaches and attack coaches, and no probs, just normally you have something like say Foster,Ryan and Schmaidt, or Henry, Hansen and Smith etc etc. They still had other coaches, but there was boss, 2 assistants as such from what I can gather set game plan etc. Then scrum, skills , lineout etc. I just have feeling when you got one in charge of forwards, and 3 in charge of backs too many voices at setting game plans and telling players what they are to do. Razor himself said Hansen picked and was responsible for inside backs, Holland for midfield and Leon for outside. That seems to me anyway too many chiefs , not enough indians.
            It's not about who talks on camera, but who actually sets things. Just to me anyway.

            nostrildamusN D 2 Replies Last reply
            2
            • Dan54D Dan54

              @darylmitchell Yep mate, I know we have has kicking coaches and attack coaches, and no probs, just normally you have something like say Foster,Ryan and Schmaidt, or Henry, Hansen and Smith etc etc. They still had other coaches, but there was boss, 2 assistants as such from what I can gather set game plan etc. Then scrum, skills , lineout etc. I just have feeling when you got one in charge of forwards, and 3 in charge of backs too many voices at setting game plans and telling players what they are to do. Razor himself said Hansen picked and was responsible for inside backs, Holland for midfield and Leon for outside. That seems to me anyway too many chiefs , not enough indians.
              It's not about who talks on camera, but who actually sets things. Just to me anyway.

              nostrildamusN Offline
              nostrildamusN Offline
              nostrildamus
              wrote on last edited by
              #203

              @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

              That seems to me anyway too many chiefs, too many crusaders, not enough indians.

              Fixed it for you.

              1 Reply Last reply
              2
              • Dan54D Dan54

                @darylmitchell Yep mate, I know we have has kicking coaches and attack coaches, and no probs, just normally you have something like say Foster,Ryan and Schmaidt, or Henry, Hansen and Smith etc etc. They still had other coaches, but there was boss, 2 assistants as such from what I can gather set game plan etc. Then scrum, skills , lineout etc. I just have feeling when you got one in charge of forwards, and 3 in charge of backs too many voices at setting game plans and telling players what they are to do. Razor himself said Hansen picked and was responsible for inside backs, Holland for midfield and Leon for outside. That seems to me anyway too many chiefs , not enough indians.
                It's not about who talks on camera, but who actually sets things. Just to me anyway.

                D Offline
                D Offline
                darylmitchell
                wrote on last edited by darylmitchell
                #204

                @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                @darylmitchell Yep mate, I know we have has kicking coaches and attack coaches, and no probs, just normally you have something like say Foster,Ryan and Schmaidt, or Henry, Hansen and Smith etc etc. They still had other coaches, but there was boss, 2 assistants as such from what I can gather set game plan etc. Then scrum, skills , lineout etc. I just have feeling when you got one in charge of forwards, and 3 in charge of backs too many voices at setting game plans and telling players what they are to do. Razor himself said Hansen picked and was responsible for inside backs, Holland for midfield and Leon for outside. That seems to me anyway too many chiefs , not enough indians.
                It's not about who talks on camera, but who actually sets things. Just to me anyway.

                I agree there's too many selectors. I wasn't pleased about McDonald and Holland becoming selectors the moment it was made public... you are being dishonest, you said there are too many coaches, South Africa and England have more coaches than us. Ireland have the same as us.

                The size of Razor's coaching group is nothing abnormal in 2024, the top JRL club sides over in Japan have a management group 20-25 people.

                I'm tired of all the boomers on Stuff complaining about this as well, someone always banging on that surely other international sides don't have this many coaches, well yes they do actually, we just had England tour here, all it takes is a quick google search to find out their coaching staff, this is easily accessible information people.

                Dan54D 1 Reply Last reply
                1
                • D darylmitchell

                  @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                  @darylmitchell Yep mate, I know we have has kicking coaches and attack coaches, and no probs, just normally you have something like say Foster,Ryan and Schmaidt, or Henry, Hansen and Smith etc etc. They still had other coaches, but there was boss, 2 assistants as such from what I can gather set game plan etc. Then scrum, skills , lineout etc. I just have feeling when you got one in charge of forwards, and 3 in charge of backs too many voices at setting game plans and telling players what they are to do. Razor himself said Hansen picked and was responsible for inside backs, Holland for midfield and Leon for outside. That seems to me anyway too many chiefs , not enough indians.
                  It's not about who talks on camera, but who actually sets things. Just to me anyway.

                  I agree there's too many selectors. I wasn't pleased about McDonald and Holland becoming selectors the moment it was made public... you are being dishonest, you said there are too many coaches, South Africa and England have more coaches than us. Ireland have the same as us.

                  The size of Razor's coaching group is nothing abnormal in 2024, the top JRL club sides over in Japan have a management group 20-25 people.

                  I'm tired of all the boomers on Stuff complaining about this as well, someone always banging on that surely other international sides don't have this many coaches, well yes they do actually, we just had England tour here, all it takes is a quick google search to find out their coaching staff, this is easily accessible information people.

                  Dan54D Offline
                  Dan54D Offline
                  Dan54
                  wrote on last edited by Dan54
                  #205

                  @darylmitchell said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                  @Dan54 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                  @darylmitchell Yep mate, I know we have has kicking coaches and attack coaches, and no probs, just normally you have something like say Foster,Ryan and Schmaidt, or Henry, Hansen and Smith etc etc. They still had other coaches, but there was boss, 2 assistants as such from what I can gather set game plan etc. Then scrum, skills , lineout etc. I just have feeling when you got one in charge of forwards, and 3 in charge of backs too many voices at setting game plans and telling players what they are to do. Razor himself said Hansen picked and was responsible for inside backs, Holland for midfield and Leon for outside. That seems to me anyway too many chiefs , not enough indians.
                  It's not about who talks on camera, but who actually sets things. Just to me anyway.

                  I agree there's too many selectors. I wasn't pleased about McDonald and Holland becoming selectors the moment it was made public... you are being dishonest, you said there are too many coaches, South Africa and England have more coaches than us. Ireland have the same as us.

                  The size of Razor's coaching group is nothing abnormal in 2024, the top JRL club sides over in Japan have a management group 20-25 people.

                  I'm tired of all the boomers on Stuff complaining about this as well, someone always banging on that surely other international sides don't have this many coaches, well yes they do actually, we just had England tour here, all it takes is a quick google search to find out their coaching staff, this is easily accessible information people.

                  Just a point I am not lying (which you accuse me of by saying I dishonest) merely expressing an opinion that we have too many coaches. I believe it helps for a team to have clarity in who is in charge, and tells them what to do or how they play.
                  And secondally yes I am a boomer, but find where just once I have said we have more coaches than other international team, and have never seen anyone post that comment on here.
                  I don't know or care how 'other' teams do it. I follow and support All Blacks at test level.
                  .

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                  0
                  • Windows97W Offline
                    Windows97W Offline
                    Windows97
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #206

                    I don't think it's the size of the coahcing group per-se, but the rather confusing use of the word "assistant coach", see below 4 assistant coachs.

                    Assistant coach implies that there's more to your role than simply coaching the forwards or the backs but having a say in the philisophy and style of the team.

                    It may simply be a case of getting tied up in semantics and the word "assistant" doesn't actually mean anything, but none of us really know what the assistant coach bit means.

                    Was Leon's issue with the attack coach part? The assistant coach part (which we don't really know what it was) or a combinaiton of both?

                    I can see why people are getting confused and saying there's too many coach's, far too many assistant coach's for a start!

                    What is clear however is that Roberston is Head Coach and that there were irreconcilable differences between him and Leon.

                    Scott Roberston (Head Coach)
                    Jason Ryan (Assistant Coach - Forwards)
                    Leon MacDonald (Assistant Coach - Attack)
                    Scott Hansen (Assistant Coach - Defence)
                    Jason Holland (Assistant Coach - Backs)
                    Tamati Ellison (Contact Skills Coach)
                    Wayne Smith (Performance Coach)

                    D 1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • Windows97W Windows97

                      I don't think it's the size of the coahcing group per-se, but the rather confusing use of the word "assistant coach", see below 4 assistant coachs.

                      Assistant coach implies that there's more to your role than simply coaching the forwards or the backs but having a say in the philisophy and style of the team.

                      It may simply be a case of getting tied up in semantics and the word "assistant" doesn't actually mean anything, but none of us really know what the assistant coach bit means.

                      Was Leon's issue with the attack coach part? The assistant coach part (which we don't really know what it was) or a combinaiton of both?

                      I can see why people are getting confused and saying there's too many coach's, far too many assistant coach's for a start!

                      What is clear however is that Roberston is Head Coach and that there were irreconcilable differences between him and Leon.

                      Scott Roberston (Head Coach)
                      Jason Ryan (Assistant Coach - Forwards)
                      Leon MacDonald (Assistant Coach - Attack)
                      Scott Hansen (Assistant Coach - Defence)
                      Jason Holland (Assistant Coach - Backs)
                      Tamati Ellison (Contact Skills Coach)
                      Wayne Smith (Performance Coach)

                      D Offline
                      D Offline
                      darylmitchell
                      wrote on last edited by darylmitchell
                      #207

                      @Windows97 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                      I don't think it's the size of the coahcing group per-se, but the rather confusing use of the word "assistant coach", see below 4 assistant coachs.

                      Assistant coach implies that there's more to your role than simply coaching the forwards or the backs but having a say in the philisophy and style of the team.

                      It may simply be a case of getting tied up in semantics and the word "assistant" doesn't actually mean anything, but none of us really know what the assistant coach bit means.

                      Was Leon's issue with the attack coach part? The assistant coach part (which we don't really know what it was) or a combinaiton of both?

                      I can see why people are getting confused and saying there's too many coach's, far too many assistant coach's for a start!

                      What is clear however is that Roberston is Head Coach and that there were irreconcilable differences between him and Leon.

                      Scott Roberston (Head Coach)
                      Jason Ryan (Assistant Coach - Forwards)
                      Leon MacDonald (Assistant Coach - Attack)
                      Scott Hansen (Assistant Coach - Defence)
                      Jason Holland (Assistant Coach - Backs)
                      Tamati Ellison (Contact Skills Coach)
                      Wayne Smith (Performance Coach)

                      Including Wayne Smith (NZR high performance advisor) here is like including ARU high performance advisor David Nucifora as a member of the Wallabies coaching staff.

                      Wayne Smith is not involved in any aspect of coaching, he 66 and is essentially retired now, he is only acting as a mentor to Alan Bunting and Razor.

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                      • sparkyS Offline
                        sparkyS Offline
                        sparky
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #208

                        There's still absolute silence from Leon MacDonald about his side of this story.

                        taniwharugbyT D MN5M 3 Replies Last reply
                        0
                        • sparkyS sparky

                          There's still absolute silence from Leon MacDonald about his side of this story.

                          taniwharugbyT Offline
                          taniwharugbyT Offline
                          taniwharugby
                          wrote on last edited by taniwharugby
                          #209

                          @sparky why does he need to say anything?

                          Its not like Razor has come out and said hes a fluffybunny, a useless coach, players thought he was a twat and needs to defend himself...there doesnt have to be drama

                          Am sure he will talk about it when he is ready, I expect he is probably quite gutted about what has transpired, but if as Razor has said, things just werent gelling, I am sure he knew that as well.

                          O 1 Reply Last reply
                          9
                          • sparkyS sparky

                            There's still absolute silence from Leon MacDonald about his side of this story.

                            D Offline
                            D Offline
                            DaGrubster
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #210

                            @sparky

                            Probably signed an NDA for filthy lucre

                            canefanC 1 Reply Last reply
                            2
                            • sparkyS sparky

                              There's still absolute silence from Leon MacDonald about his side of this story.

                              MN5M Online
                              MN5M Online
                              MN5
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #211

                              @sparky said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                              There's still absolute silence from Leon MacDonald about his side of this story.

                              There should be a book in time for Xmas if you’re lucky.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • D DaGrubster

                                @sparky

                                Probably signed an NDA for filthy lucre

                                canefanC Online
                                canefanC Online
                                canefan
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #212

                                @DaGrubster said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                                @sparky

                                Probably signed an NDA for filthy lucre

                                If other posters' accounts are true, the guy is not one to say much. Perhaps he just wants to quietly get on with his life and find another gig

                                sparkyS D 2 Replies Last reply
                                1
                                • canefanC canefan

                                  @DaGrubster said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                                  @sparky

                                  Probably signed an NDA for filthy lucre

                                  If other posters' accounts are true, the guy is not one to say much. Perhaps he just wants to quietly get on with his life and find another gig

                                  sparkyS Offline
                                  sparkyS Offline
                                  sparky
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #213

                                  @canefan Wales might be looking for a new Head Coach soon.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • canefanC canefan

                                    @DaGrubster said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                                    @sparky

                                    Probably signed an NDA for filthy lucre

                                    If other posters' accounts are true, the guy is not one to say much. Perhaps he just wants to quietly get on with his life and find another gig

                                    D Offline
                                    D Offline
                                    DaGrubster
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #214

                                    @canefan said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                                    @DaGrubster said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                                    @sparky

                                    Probably signed an NDA for filthy lucre

                                    If other posters' accounts are true, the guy is not one to say much. Perhaps he just wants to quietly get on with his life and find another gig

                                    If he got a payoff, which I am sure he would have, then a compromise agreement will include confidentiality clauses.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    2
                                    • nostrildamusN Offline
                                      nostrildamusN Offline
                                      nostrildamus
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #215

                                      it was probably a sweet deal where Rangi gets to coach the Crusaders with Mark Hammett as his assistant coach.

                                      D 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • taniwharugbyT taniwharugby

                                        @sparky why does he need to say anything?

                                        Its not like Razor has come out and said hes a fluffybunny, a useless coach, players thought he was a twat and needs to defend himself...there doesnt have to be drama

                                        Am sure he will talk about it when he is ready, I expect he is probably quite gutted about what has transpired, but if as Razor has said, things just werent gelling, I am sure he knew that as well.

                                        O Offline
                                        O Offline
                                        Old Samurai Jack
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #216

                                        @taniwharugby said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

                                        @sparky why does he need to say anything?

                                        Its not like Razor has come out and said hes a fluffybunny, a useless coach, players thought he was a twat and needs to defend himself...there doesnt have to be drama

                                        Am sure he will talk about it when he is ready, I expect he is probably quite gutted about what has transpired, but if as Razor has said, things just werent gelling, I am sure he knew that as well.

                                        Oh yes there does. Ingrained in NZ male culture and people are addicted to it.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • nostrildamusN nostrildamus

                                          @Bovidae said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:

                                          Hinton, Goile, Cull

                                          https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/350389274/all-blacks-burning-questions-ahead-rugby-championship-assignment-away-springboks

                                          this one? Quite a few different takes in that article.

                                          D Offline
                                          D Offline
                                          darylmitchell
                                          wrote on last edited by darylmitchell
                                          #217

                                          @nostrildamus said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:

                                          @Bovidae said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:

                                          Hinton, Goile, Cull

                                          https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/350389274/all-blacks-burning-questions-ahead-rugby-championship-assignment-away-springboks

                                          this one? Quite a few different takes in that article.

                                          biggest takeaway from that article is from Cully:

                                          "it again shines an unflattering light on the All Blacks coaching appointment process. MacDonald's hasty exit means his recruitment was a mistake from the outset, and there is a further layer to it.

                                          In the period between Scott Robertson getting the job last year and finalising his coaching team, I contacted Tony Brown to see if he had been approached.

                                          Brown, who has always been a straight-shooter with me, said no but he was available and was looking for a job because his old mate Jamie Joseph had already decided to head back to NZ.

                                          So, the All Blacks might have also missed out on Brown by going with MacDonald − to the Springboks' benefit."

                                          M nostrildamusN 2 Replies Last reply
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