Leon MacDonald Quits

[ACT Crusader]

In the context of making a big decision that is in-season, this was the time to make it given the ABs aren’t playing this weekend. A bit of clear air come the time of the next match.

Good luck to Rangi on whatever he does next. One door closes and another opens I guess…

[nzzp]

@ACT-Crusader said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

One door closes and another opens I guess…

as my grandfather said, who was a good man, but a poor cabinet maker.

Surprised at the kicking that Leon is now getting on here. He has been a very solid coach for a long time - no surprises that Razor wanted to work with him. His influence at Blues was incredible; we may not have won, but he took us from a toxic, dysfunctional mess to a competitive outfit. Vern got us over the line, but the groundwork and big changes were led by Leon.

All the best to him. It's tough if you disagree with the top dog, but the right thing is to step down, not half arse it for a season.

As an aside, we're 10-2 in TRC. Fozzie never lost one. The format is hard for us this year - but that loss to Argentina has made winning this incredibly tough.

The Rugby Championship - Wikipedia

[Bovidae]

The ABs fly out today and tomorrow so no point MacDonald travelling if a change was going to be made. Questions would be asked once the media realised he wasn't involved. Control the narrative as they say.

I'm not sure Holland's input has been that great so far either.

[nzzp]

@Bovidae said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

I'm not sure Holland's input has been that great so far either.

the coaching group hasn't looked great at all. Selections still seem a bit weird - hard to figure out the thinking at times.

[WillieTheWaiter]

obviously Razor has recognised the complete lack of ex-Waikato players in his setup and is looking to rectify.

Jonno Gibbes in with Liam Messam Cultural Ambassador would be my guess

[sparky]

A few random thoughts at 02:45.

1. Big news.

2. This has happened mighty close to the South Africa games.

3. My gut instinct is to welcome this news. There have been too many voices in the AB camp and the performance against Argentina in Wellington was horribly disjointed. Mac Donald hardly excelled with the Blues.

4. Did anyone see this coming?

5. Anyone got any oil on what's happened?

[Frank]

Great to see Razor is constantly looking to improve and isn't too stubborn.

Would really like to know what exactly the different views were or was it more Razor saw our attack sucked and took action.

[taniwharugby]

@WillieTheWaiter Scott McLeod making a comeback?

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

@WillieTheWaiter Scott McLeod making a comeback?

Foster

[sparky]

@taniwharugby

Robbie Deans?

[booboo]

@sparky said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

@taniwharugby

Robbie Deans?

Didn't play for Waikato. Mitch anyone?

[antipodean]

@nzzp said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

Surprised at the kicking that Leon is now getting on here. He has been a very solid coach for a long time - no surprises that Razor wanted to work with him. His influence at Blues was incredible; we may not have won, but he took us from a toxic, dysfunctional mess to a competitive outfit. Vern got us over the line, but the groundwork and big changes were led by Leon.

I think this is debateable. Better than the dreadful era of Sir JK and Tana, but statistics made easier by the competition becoming beat the worst NZ team and a bunch of Oz ones.

I don't know if it was messaging or philosophy but the attack for the Blues looked disjointed and lethargic. The difference in style and outcome from one year under Vern speaks volumes.

[sparky]

So who are the coaching group now and what are they are each responsible for?

[Higgins]

It won't happen until they have a meeting about when the meeting to decide if they will have a meeting to reallocate the positions of responsibility is to be held.

[Frank]

@sparky
Herald said - Hansen, Ellison and Holland could play MacDonald's role. But I think they were naming possibilities rather than saying all three will do it.

[WillieTheWaiter]

@booboo said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

@sparky said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

@taniwharugby

Robbie Deans?

Didn't play for Waikato. Mitch anyone?

John Boe!

[Landers92]

Anyone remember a few weeks ago what I was saying about this Leon McDonald situation? I can’t remember what thread it was in, maybe AB’s 2024. I wasn’t just saying stuff for the sake of it after all… 👀

[voodoo]

@Landers92 said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

Anyone remember a few weeks ago what I was saying about this Leon McDonald situation? I can’t remember what thread it was in, maybe AB’s 2024. I wasn’t just saying stuff for the sake of it after all… 👀

I can barely remember stuff I said a few hours ago, let alone stuff you said a few weeks ago

[Landers92]

@voodoo funnily enough, same. Only the important things, eg stuff regarding sport but nothing the Mrs tells me.

[Rancid Schnitzel]

@sparky said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

A few random thoughts at 02:45.

1. Big news.

2. This has happened mighty close to the South Africa games.

3. My gut instinct is to welcome this news. There have been too many voices in the AB camp and the performance against Argentina in Wellington was horribly disjointed. Mac Donald hardly excelled with the Blues.

4. Did anyone see this coming?

5. Anyone got any oil on what's happened?

5. Jealous of MacDonald's guns?
   They were peers and team mates for a good while so maybe MacDonald wasn't good at taking orders? Or maybe Razor evaluated performances, deemed them substandard and pulled the trigger. Wish Henry and co had done that with Foster.