Kudos to NZR.  

The news of the result of the schism between Razor and Rangi was a huge surprise. What was even more surprising was that no one knew. Keeping a lid on an internal collapse like that is quite the trick. They must be pleased as punch that their process was sealed to the outside world.  

There are aspects to this top floor rupture that have been explained away, but they still leave me in an uncomfortable space.  How did this unravel so fast? This suggests the due diligence around the appointment of Leon MacDonald was lacking. History tells us that the relationship between both coaches had been uneasy at times, namely the 2017 fissure at the Crusaders when Leon bailed on Scott to move to Nelson for family etc. then in a flash, he arrived on the Blues doorstep. Nothing wrong with that, surely a flag though, albeit a pennant, not a Garrison, but a flag nonetheless.  

There was also the vacuum that was the absence of Leon not only in person, but in the press release too. It’s standard fare for the statements issued around a departing figure to include a vanilla line or two wishing the team the best and thanking NZR for the opportunity. Not this time. Read into that what you will. To me this suggests the split was acrimonious, based on more than just a differing in philosophy.  

NZR addressed these concerns and are adamant that although the relationship collapse and subsequent departure was unfortunate, there is nothing more to the story. As The Roots hip-hop group titled their 1999 banger of an album, Things Fall Apart. 

I’m sure that whatever happened, the positive aspect here is that before the whole festering boil exploded, it was efficiently lanced.  

And we definitely know who wears the trousers in the coaching box.