Tana Umaga & Leon MacDonald to lead Blues in 2019

The Blues and New Zealand Rugby have today announced that Tana Umaga will have his role as Head Coach extended by a further 12 months to the end of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

The club also announced that Tasman Mako Head Coach and former Crusaders Assistant Coach, Leon MacDonald will join the Blues in 2019 as Assistant Coach.

“The Board believes there are positive improvements taking place at all levels at the club, and that Tana still has a contribution to make,” said Blues CEO Michael Redman.

“Changing Head Coach now would mean we throw out three years of hard-earned experience and starting again which we believe is the wrong thing to do.

“At the same time, the expected shifts in on-field performance are yet to be achieved and we are examining every aspect of team selection, preparation and support as our fans would expect”

MacDonald played 56 tests for the All Blacks and is a centurion for the Crusaders, before he moved into coaching Tasman. He had one-year coaching for the Crusaders in Super Rugby before returning for a two-year appointment as Head Coach of the Mako.

He will see out that contract in this year’s Mitre-10 Cup before moving north for what he believes is an exciting and significant challenge.