Leon MacDonald to coach NZ Under-20s [Fairfax]

New Zealand Rugby has selected Tasman assistant coach Leon MacDonald as backs coach for the New Zealand under-20 World Cup campaign in 2014.

MacDonald will assist head coach Chris Boyd of Wellington and forwards coach Scott Robertson of Canterbury, while two Tasman regional players have also been selected.

"The selection of Leon as a New Zealand under-20 coach is a clear indication of the superb role he has played with the rise of the Tasman Makos," said Tasman Rugby Union chief executive Tony Lewis.

"The Tasman Rugby Union board, staff and players believe that Leon is a coaching star on the rise. It is only a matter of time before he is coach of a Super Rugby team."

Lewis said the Tasman Rugby Union are close to securing MacDonald's signature, reuniting the championship-winning coaching duo after already signing Kieran Keane as their director of professional rugby.

"Kieran and myself have indicated to Leon that we want him as assistant coach next year. He has indicated that he wants to coach with us next year.

"We are just working through the details of how that is going to work.

"We are very positive that we will find an outcome that works for Leon and Tasman Rugby."

Regional players, Nelson RFC fullback David Havili and Marlborough Boys' College prop Atu Moli, both members of the Port Nelson Tasman Rugby Academy, have been selected to prepare for the 2014 under-20 World Cup to be held in Auckland in June.

"Both players have both shown they have the attitude and work ethic required to push for higher honours," said Tasman Rugby Union high performance manager and New Zealand under-20 selector Gary Stevens.

"David has just completed an impressive showing with the Tasman under-20 and White Pointer programmes. Atu has risen from the New Zealand secondary schools programme and has the size, strength and skill to compete at the under-20 level."

The players are currently in development camp at the Sport and Rugby Institute in Palmerston North which will run this week. The camp will allow coaches and selectors to assess and prepare the players for the programme ahead.

Also joining the camp is 2012 Nelson college captain and halfback, Mitchell Drummond, now with Canterbury and the Crusaders.

A final New Zealand under-20 team will be announced in May 2014