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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In what is starting to become a theme, the All Blacks will arrive in South Africa for two Tests against the Springboks with an unsettled coaching staff. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday, just days before the All Blacks were due to leave New Zealand for their tough Rugby Championship assignment in South Africa featuring two Tests against the world champion Springboks, backline coach Leon MacDonald quit the team.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or he was axed. Officially it was a mutual parting of ways for the former All Black fullback (he did start at flyhalf occasionally, too). It’s hardly an ideal scenario so close to two massive Tests, at Ellis Park on 31 August and DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 7 September.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assistant coach Scott Hansen and contact skills coach Tamati Ellison will take on additional responsibilities for the remainder of the season.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2330336\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2167106635.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1786\" height=\"1122\" /> <em>New Zealand coach Scott Robertson's move to the hot seat has not been as smooth as expected. (Photo: Phil Walter / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2022, when former coach Ian Foster was under growing pressure following a home series loss to Ireland, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) axed assistants John Plumtree and Brad Moaor before touring South Africa.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The All Blacks were thumped 26-10 in Mbombela but bounced back to beat the Boks 35-23 at Ellis Park a week later – a result that saved Foster’s job.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Bumpy start</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This time around newly appointed head coach Scott Robertson is hardly facing the axe, but it’s also clear that his much-anticipated elevation to All Blacks boss after seven successive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders has not been as smooth as expected.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two weeks ago, the All Blacks suffered a shock 38-30 loss against Argentina in Wellington. How much that result had to do with the apparent falling out between MacDonald and Robertson is unclear. But it wouldn’t have helped.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Leon and I have been having some honest conversations with each other for a little while now,” Robertson said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The All Blacks coach said the pair differed on their “philosophy on rugby”, but did not add further details of the split.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There was no intent to get to the point where we are now, but we just believe the best for both of us, as for the All Blacks group, is to make the call now. We never thought it would get to this point – but it has,” Robertson added.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Chopping and changing</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the All Blacks have won four of five Tests in 2024, there has been some chopping and changing in terms of selection.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centres Rieko Ioane and Anton Lienert-Brown have interchanged while wings Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece were dropped for Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke after the loss in Wellington for the return clash in Auckland.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2330328\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2167123238.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1766\" height=\"1177\" /> <em>Rieko Ioane of New Zealand is challenged by Juan Cruz Mallía of Argentina during their Rugby Championship match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on 17 August 2024. (Photo: Dave Rowland / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The All Blacks bounced back with a 42-10 victory over the Pumas at Eden Park. Clearly there was some disagreement about selection between the coaches.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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,” said New Zealand Rugby Head of Professional Rugby and Performance, Chris Lendrum.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Ultimately, they have made a brave decision that they believe is best for the team.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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.” </span><b>DM</b>\r\n\r\n<b>The 36-man All Black squad travelling to South Africa is:</b>\r\n\r\n<b>Forwards (20)</b>\r\n\r\n<b>Hookers</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes / Wellington)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Codie Taylor (Crusaders / Canterbury)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">George Bell (Crusaders / Canterbury)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Props</b>\r\n\r\nEthan de Groot (Highlanders / Southland)\r\nTyrel Lomax (Hurricanes / Tasman)\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fletcher Newell (Crusaders / Canterbury)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues / Northland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders / Canterbury)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Locks</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scott Barrett (Crusaders / Taranaki) (Captain)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam Darry (Blues / Canterbury)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Josh Lord (Chiefs / Taranaki)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs / Taranaki)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Loose Forwards</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders / Tasman)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam Cane (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Samipeni Finau (Chiefs / Waikato) </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luke Jacobson (Chiefs / Waikato)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dalton Papali’i (Blues / Counties Manukau)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika / Wellington) (Vice Captain)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wallace Sititi (Chiefs / North Harbour)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Backs (16)</b>\r\n\r\n<b>Halfbacks</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Noah Hotham (Crusaders / Tasman)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TJ Perenara (Hurricanes / Wellington)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cortez Ratima (Chiefs / Waikato)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Flyhalves</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beauden Barrett (Blues / Taranaki)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damian McKenzie (Chiefs / Waikato)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Midfielders</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes / Taranaki) (Vice Captain)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">David Havili (Crusaders / Tasman)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rieko Ioane (Blues / Auckland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs / Waikato)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Billy Proctor (Hurricanes / Wellington)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Outside backs</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caleb Clarke (Blues / Auckland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will Jordan (Crusaders / Tasman)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ruben Love (Hurricanes / Wellington)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harry Plummer (Blues/Auckland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sevu Reece (Crusaders / Southland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mark Tele’a (Blues / North Harbour)</span>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In what is starting to become a theme, the All Blacks will arrive in South Africa for two Tests against the Springboks with an unsettled coaching staff. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday, just days before the All Blacks were due to leave New Zealand for their tough Rugby Championship assignment in South Africa featuring two Tests against the world champion Springboks, backline coach Leon MacDonald quit the team.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or he was axed. Officially it was a mutual parting of ways for the former All Black fullback (he did start at flyhalf occasionally, too). It’s hardly an ideal scenario so close to two massive Tests, at Ellis Park on 31 August and DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 7 September.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assistant coach Scott Hansen and contact skills coach Tamati Ellison will take on additional responsibilities for the remainder of the season.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2330336\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1786\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2330336\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2167106635.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1786\" height=\"1122\" /> <em>New Zealand coach Scott Robertson's move to the hot seat has not been as smooth as expected. (Photo: Phil Walter / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2022, when former coach Ian Foster was under growing pressure following a home series loss to Ireland, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) axed assistants John Plumtree and Brad Moaor before touring South Africa.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The All Blacks were thumped 26-10 in Mbombela but bounced back to beat the Boks 35-23 at Ellis Park a week later – a result that saved Foster’s job.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Bumpy start</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This time around newly appointed head coach Scott Robertson is hardly facing the axe, but it’s also clear that his much-anticipated elevation to All Blacks boss after seven successive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders has not been as smooth as expected.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two weeks ago, the All Blacks suffered a shock 38-30 loss against Argentina in Wellington. How much that result had to do with the apparent falling out between MacDonald and Robertson is unclear. But it wouldn’t have helped.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Leon and I have been having some honest conversations with each other for a little while now,” Robertson said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The All Blacks coach said the pair differed on their “philosophy on rugby”, but did not add further details of the split.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There was no intent to get to the point where we are now, but we just believe the best for both of us, as for the All Blacks group, is to make the call now. We never thought it would get to this point – but it has,” Robertson added.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Chopping and changing</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the All Blacks have won four of five Tests in 2024, there has been some chopping and changing in terms of selection.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centres Rieko Ioane and Anton Lienert-Brown have interchanged while wings Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece were dropped for Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke after the loss in Wellington for the return clash in Auckland.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2330328\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1766\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2330328\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2167123238.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1766\" height=\"1177\" /> <em>Rieko Ioane of New Zealand is challenged by Juan Cruz Mallía of Argentina during their Rugby Championship match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on 17 August 2024. (Photo: Dave Rowland / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The All Blacks bounced back with a 42-10 victory over the Pumas at Eden Park. Clearly there was some disagreement about selection between the coaches.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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,” said New Zealand Rugby Head of Professional Rugby and Performance, Chris Lendrum.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Ultimately, they have made a brave decision that they believe is best for the team.</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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.” </span><b>DM</b>\r\n\r\n<b>The 36-man All Black squad travelling to South Africa is:</b>\r\n\r\n<b>Forwards (20)</b>\r\n\r\n<b>Hookers</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes / Wellington)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Codie Taylor (Crusaders / Canterbury)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">George Bell (Crusaders / Canterbury)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Props</b>\r\n\r\nEthan de Groot (Highlanders / Southland)\r\nTyrel Lomax (Hurricanes / Tasman)\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fletcher Newell (Crusaders / Canterbury)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues / Northland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders / Canterbury)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Locks</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scott Barrett (Crusaders / Taranaki) (Captain)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam Darry (Blues / Canterbury)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Josh Lord (Chiefs / Taranaki)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs / Taranaki)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Loose Forwards</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders / Tasman)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam Cane (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Samipeni Finau (Chiefs / Waikato) </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luke Jacobson (Chiefs / Waikato)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dalton Papali’i (Blues / Counties Manukau)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika / Wellington) (Vice Captain)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wallace Sititi (Chiefs / North Harbour)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Backs (16)</b>\r\n\r\n<b>Halfbacks</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Noah Hotham (Crusaders / Tasman)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TJ Perenara (Hurricanes / Wellington)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cortez Ratima (Chiefs / Waikato)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Flyhalves</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beauden Barrett (Blues / Taranaki)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damian McKenzie (Chiefs / Waikato)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Midfielders</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes / Taranaki) (Vice Captain)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">David Havili (Crusaders / Tasman)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rieko Ioane (Blues / Auckland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs / Waikato)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Billy Proctor (Hurricanes / Wellington)</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Outside backs</b><b>\r\n</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caleb Clarke (Blues / Auckland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will Jordan (Crusaders / Tasman)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ruben Love (Hurricanes / Wellington)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harry Plummer (Blues/Auckland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sevu Reece (Crusaders / Southland)</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\r\n</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mark Tele’a (Blues / North Harbour)</span>",
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New Zealand coach Scott Robertson's move to the hot seat has not been as smooth as expected. (Photo: Phil Walter / Getty Images)
Rieko Ioane of New Zealand is challenged by Juan Cruz Mallía of Argentina during their Rugby Championship match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on 17 August 2024. (Photo: Dave Rowland / Getty Images)