After a five-year period that's seen him completely revitalise the Blues, Leon MacDonald has signed off from his post as the man who turned the Auckland strugglers from pretenders back into contenders.
MacDonald, 45, has endured a devastating 52-15 defeat to the Crusaders at Christchurch that ended the Blues' Super Rugby Pacific season and brought the curtain down on his time in Auckland.
After transforming Tasman Mako into NPC contenders, he took on the Blues job in 2019, tasked with turning the longtime sleeping giants into contenders once again.
While MacDonald couldn't add a fourth Super Rugby title to the Blues collection - unless you count Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in 2021 - his impact on the side shouldn't be underestimated.
When MacDonald took charge of the Blues in 2019, the Auckland side hadn't been to the playoffs since 2011, but he guided them to a 2022 runner-up finish and semi-final this year.
That 2022 run set a new Super Rugby record of 15 straight wins on their way to the final, before losing to the Crusaders.
All up, MacDonald's record reads 51 wins from 77 games - a success rate of just over 66 percent and second only to Sir Graham Henry (32 wins from 39 games).
Now, MacDonald's focus shifts to next season. In 2024, he'll link with former teammate and current tormentor Scott Robertson in the new All Blacks coaching set-up.
MacDonald will work as Robertson's attack coach, joining Scott Hansen (Crusaders) and Jason Holland (Hurricanes) in leaving their Super Rugby sides.
Looking back, MacDonald is nothing but grateful for his time in Auckland.
"It's been an amazing... I don't want to say 'journey'," said MacDonald. "I'm so pleased we made the decision to move up north.
"It was a tough decision initially, it took me out of my comfort zone. I've learned so much about different ways, mindsets, skill sets.
"It broadened my outlook around coaching. The Blues family has become really special to us, I'm definitely sad it's ended.
"I'd love for it to have ended on a different note."
MacDonald has been a key figure in the development of many of the Blues players pushing for higher honours.
The likes of Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Stephen Pefofeta, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mark Telea and Alex Hodgman were all handed their All Blacks debuts, after impressing at the Blues.
Meanwhile, captain Dalton Papali'i has only grown under MacDonald's tutelage and gives All Blacks selectors a serious headache up against Sam Cane for the No.7 jersey.
Speaking after a second Super Rugby exit to the Crusaders in as many years, Papali'i makes it clear exactly how highly he regards MacDonald and his time under him.
"When he first came in, you could just see the level and experience he brought to the team," said Papali'i. "That's something we didn't have in the Blues, when I first came in.
"We had all the talent in the world, [but] we didn't have that detail - that hunger. He came in and changed that whole environment.
"It's hats off to him to see how a coach can come into an environment and change it.
"We were all talented, but we missed that little bit of drive and detail. He showed us how to exploit that.
"I've got a lot of respect for that man. He's one of the best coaches I've had in my lifetime.
"He's a good man."
The Blues are the only side still to replace their outgoing coach. The Hurricanes have snapped up former All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw, while Rob Penney will take over from Robertson at the Crusaders.
While there's no certainty who will take the Blues hotseat, MacDonald stresses his successor will have plenty to work with. He is thankful to the Blues faithful for accepting him, with few former Crusaders able to command the same admiration he has.
"Thanks for welcoming me and treating me as one of their own," MacDonald continued. "It's not easy for some Aucklanders to welcome a guy from Canterbury or Marlborough.
"I've made some great friends here, had some great experiences. I'm definitely cherishing the time I've had with the Blues.
"There's a good team in there. There's something about this group.
"They can turn into a very good team. I just hope they stick tight and whoever takes the helm next will keep cranking them forwards."
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