'It has got to be worth a phone call': Aussie twist as All Blacks rocked by coach quitting
Updated . First published at
Tim Horan has encouraged Joe Schmidt to pursue Leon MacDonald after he sensationally quit the All Blacks coaching team on Thursday.
MacDonald stepped away as an assistant ahead of New Zealand's departure for two Rugby Championship Tests in South Africa over what coach Scott Robertson described as "differing views."
Schmidt and MacDonald previously worked together at the Blues.
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Scott Hansen, Scott Robertson and Leon MacDonald of the All Blacks. Getty
Schmidt is currently running most of the Wallabies backline attack with some support from analyst Eoin Toolan.
MacDonald, who played 58 Tests, was the All Blacks attack coach before the shock split.
"It's worth a phone call. If you are Joe Schmidt and you have been coaching colleagues in the past, it has got to be worth a phone call," Stan Sport pundit Horan told the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Joe Schmidt speaks during a press conference at Suncorp Stadium. Getty
"Even if it is not a full time coaching opportunity, it could be a 'come over, have a look, tell us what you see and what you think'.
"Leon may not be looking for another job but he knows Joe well.
"The big challenge would be, given how much IP he has about the All Blacks, how much would he be prepared to give to the Wallabies."
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MacDonald previously worked as an assistant to Robertson at the Crusaders and his departure 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.
Leon MacDonald of the Blues congratulates Scott Robertson of the Crusaders. Getty
"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 have 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 includes 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.
Coach Scott Robertson of New Zealand addresses media. Getty
"Ultimately, they have made a brave decision that they believe is best for the team."
There has been criticism of some aspects of the 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 champions South Africa in Johannesburg on September 1 (AEST) and in Cape Town on September 8 (AEST) in the next stage of the Rugby Championship.
