MacDonald to coach All Blacks XV

• Published date: 30 September 2022
• Publication title: Sports Tab

The 56-test All Black takes charge for the matches against Ireland A in Dublin and the Barbarians in London

The second fixture will be played at the home stadium of English Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur.

‘‘It’s an honour to coach any team with the silver fern on the jersey and I’m looking forward to coaching a strong squad for what will be two tough matches,’’ MacDonald, who will have Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen as assistant coaches, said.

‘‘This team is representing New Zealand on the world stage and we will be taking that responsibility very seriously, particularly as the first group to wear the All Blacks XV jersey.’’

The matches will be played in the lead-up to the All Blacks test against Wales in Cardiff and then Scotland in Edinburgh.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who will name the All Blacks XV squad alongside his fellow All Blacks selectors, said last week he expected there would be minimal crossover of players between the two teams.

‘‘The quality of these matches will present an ideal...