Rugby: Leon MacDonald to take over as Crusaders backs coach

Leon MacDonald will take over as Crusaders backs coach next season. Photo / Getty Images.

Leon MacDonald will take over as Crusaders backs coach next season, replacing former team-mate Aaron Mauger, who's moving to the UK to coach Leicester.

The former Crusaders and All Blacks fullback has been Tasman assistant coach since 2010 and had been expected to step up as Makos head coach if the highly-rated Kieran Keane moved on - he's been strongly linked with the Chiefs and was in the coach's box alongside Dave Rennie on Friday night.

Mauger confirmed the move today on Newstalk ZB, saying MacDonald would be a good addition to the Crusaders' coaching team and having done and "outstanding" job at Tasman.