The Otago rugby great has been appointed Northland coach following the late resignation of Marty Veale, the former Taniwha player and assistant coach who has pulled out for family reasons and will be staying in the United States.
Leslie will coach Southern in four more games in the Dunedin premier club competition before leaving the Magpies and starting his new gig in Whangarei on June 19.
He was effectively head-hunted by the Northland union, which cast the net wide to find a new coach as quickly as possible and liked what it saw in the thoughtful southern man.
For his part, Leslie — who has worked on his coaching craft at colts level with the Otago University club, age-group teams and the under-85kg Bush Pigs while guiding Southern to the 2022 banner — was excited by what he saw on a recent visit to Whangarei.
"They’ve got a purpose-built facility with all the administration and players’ rooms and coaches’ rooms and weights and kitchen all in one place.
"Then they’ve got three fields that run out directly from the training base that are in really good nick.
"The place got developed for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, so it was one of those legacy projects."
Leslie has also had a long-standing relationship with Northland’s director of rugby, Brad Te Haara.
"We’re wired in similar ways, so we get on well, and I was also really impressed with the CEO and the other people on the administration team.
"I went up there with an open mind but I was pleasantly encouraged by the people and the set-up, and they’ve also assembled a good playing squad."
The former Highlanders and Scottish international midfielder is 52, so has been patient with his coaching career while focusing on family and business after his playing days ended.
He sees the Taniwha role, potentially challenging as he is effectively inheriting a team quite late in the piece and does not yet know much about his players, as a big chance to test himself at the next level.
"I’m excited by this opportunity because it’s a progression I want to make," Leslie said.
"I want to test myself. I wanted to see if I wanted to carry on with coaching at a higher level, and I think I really do want to have a go at stepping up. My gut and my head are quite aligned there.
"There is pressure to perform, but all coaches get that. I’ve got a bit of maturity on my side, and I’ve had a lot of experience dealing with people."
Leslie paid tribute to his "fabulous mentor" — Japan and former Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, who has also been an influence on the Magpies.
He was also grateful for the support of his family, wife Carmel and children Jack and Amaya, as he prepared to make his northern sojourn.
There were some raised eyebrows last year when Otago extended the contract of coach Tom Donnelly despite the team having an ordinary NPC season.
Leslie acknowledged he would have liked a chance to put his hand up for the role, and he was "surprised" the Otago job was not contestable.
"I thought they would put it out there and I would put my name forward, and if I was deemed worthy enough of an interview, that would have been good for my experience, and I was quite confident I could put a good pitch forward.
"So just surprised, really, but it happened. There are no hard feelings, that’s for sure.
"I wouldn’t say I’d rather be coaching Otago, because fate has it that I’m coaching Northland, and I really feel this was meant to be.
"I’ve always wanted to coach Otago. Who knows — that may still happen — but it can’t be my focus at all at the moment. I’ve got a job to do with the Taniwha."
Fate has also delivered the tantalising prospect of a Leslie return as Northland plays Otago in Dunedin on September 10.
"That will be great. We’re also playing Southland in Invercargill. It will be great to come down south again and connect with family and friends."
Leslie, who will leave the Magpies in the hands of coaches Kees Meeuws and Peter McIntyre when he heads north, told his Southern players of his plans on Tuesday night before getting a rousing round of applause.
"I said to my men that, other than being away from my family and my friends, and walking my dog in the morning, the thing I will most miss will be that group of players.
"We’re focused on being championship challengers for 2023, and I would love that to happen. I do feel genuine sadness and regret to be leaving them, but you can’t be in two places at once.
