New Zealand lose assistant coach Leon MacDonald ahead of Rugby Championship games against Springboks

New Zealand have confirmed that assistant Leon MacDonald will be leaving the coaching panel ahead of the upcoming Rugby Championship games against South Africa.

MacDonald has worked as assistant coaches in Tasman and Crusaders before taking in charge of Blues between 2019 and 2023. He was one of the recruit made this year by the All Blacks as Scott Robertson took over the head coach.

Nevertheless, Robertson said the difference in opinion led to the exit of MacDonald.

The All Blacks lost the first game of the Rugby Championship to Argentina but bounced back with a dominating 42-10 performance against the same opponents in the second round played at Eden Park.

"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."

With a defeat and a victory apiece in the two games, New Zealand are at second place in the Rugby Championship table. They will now face the World Champions Springboks in back to back matches with contact skills coach Tamati Ellison set to take the additional responsibility in the absence of MacDonald.