There's shock across the rugby world as Leon MacDonald exited the All Blacks coaching staff - seemingly out of the blue.

MacDonald confirmed his departure today, leaving on the eve of the team's departure to South Africa, just five tests into the Scott Robertson era.

ZB sports commentator Elliott Smith says it was likely Razor's decision to axe MacDonald.

"If he wanted Leon to stay, he could have said - no, we can figure this out. But Leon's gone, this isn't working. It's Scott Robertson's team, he wants to imprint the way he wants to coach on this team."

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