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International

Ex-Highlanders coach Tony Brown a 'done deal' for Springboks

By Ben Smith

296 days ago

(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Former Highlanders head coach and Japan assistant Tony Brown will join Rassie Erasmus’ staff as an assistant coach with the Springboks according a report.

New Zealand publication Stuff has reported a ‘done deal’ between Brown and SARU, with the former All Black first five set to be unveiled later this week.

He will join the Springboks as an attack coach as Erasmus rebuilds the Springboks’ coaching team following the departures of Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones.

Brown was part of two World Cup campaigns with Japan under Jamie Joseph, the pair having a long professional relationship going back to their time at the Highlanders where they won the 2015 Super Rugby title.

The appointment of Brown adds further intrigue ahead of the Rugby Championship with Joe Schmidt joining the Wallabies as head coach and Scott Robertson taking over the All Blacks.

Brown is known as an innovative attacking genius who will bring new ideas to the Springboks in their follow up campaign having claimed back-t0-back World Cup crowns last November.

The Springboks host Ireland in July before two Tests against the All Blacks at home and two away against the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship. They play Argentina home and away to finish out the tournament.

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Comments

4 Comments

Bob Marler 295 days ago

Like I’ve said: I’m sure it wouldn’t difficult for the world champs to find world-class replacements for Felix Jones and Jacques Nienaber.

This is an inspired move if it comes to pass.

Mitch 295 days ago

Scott Robertson, Ian Foster and Jamie Joseph all wanted Tony Brown as part of their coaching staff for the recently completed World Cup cycle and now it appears Brown will be involved in trying to take down the Scott Robertson coached All Blacks. Surely he’d be the first New Zealander to work with the Springboks. They have had some Aussies - Tim Lane, Les KIss, Frank Ponissi, Mick Bryne and most famously Eddie Jones but I think they’re yet to have a Kiwi on their staff.

Gert 295 days ago

Congrats Tony on becoming part of the World Champs and most successful team in RWC history. Hope you make the most of this amazing opportunity.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Bull Shark 0 minute ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

I find Ben Smith to be an emotionally driven hysteric. So I question everything he writes.

He launched into the year about the ABs being back this year. For a "journalist" his opinions are based on the flavour of the month.

He's at least gone quiet about how sh1t the boks actually are. Although I suspect he's working on an outrageous article to that effect as we speak, to drive engagement after the end of the Autumn series, as we'll all be taking a break until the 6N.

22 Go to comments

Chesterfield 3 minutes ago

Michael Hooper reacts to Scott Barrett’s controversial late-game call

The dominant pack should be enforcing their superiority with maximum points and the psychological advantage of taking the lead.

You don’t get that by saying we’ll settle for three and try again you get it by scoring seven and trying again. Doesn’t come off every time?

No.

But if you’ve asserted dominance letting the opposition off and not trying to build a double score difference is wrong minded.

All blacks have traditionally played to build the unassailable lead not meekly win a single point victory.

11 Go to comments

Arnold 5 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

Aaah. Ben Smith. Ever the unbiased, objective rugby scribe......NOT.

Unable to give credit where it's due, other than for the ABs, especially when it comes to the Boks. His contempt for them is tangible. If you want to " Get Real" about these ABs Ben, consider when they last beat the Boks??? For us Bok fans, beating the ABs is the only true measure.

22 Go to comments

Reader76 24 minutes ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

"they [All Blacks] are nuggety and resourceful and don’t wilt. They are prepared to win the hard way, accumulating points by any means necessary."

Sounds like you're describing your arch-nemesis Ben 😁

22 Go to comments

CM 27 minutes ago

'Steve Borthwick hung his troops out to dry - he should take some blame'

This article only shows a part of SBs failings as England Coach. Firstly his reputation st Leicester was false, his SA and Welsh players won the matches not his coaching prowess. He has Wigglesworth as attack coach, someone who rarely attacked when playing. His player selection is awful, ignoring form players and sticking with failed internationals. He picks players that he knows and will be easy to manage for him. What on earth is Slade doing when even for Exeter he does not make line breaks with steppping, pace or guile, why on earth are Cole,George,Steward,Ford,Iseweke and a few other anywhere near the Team. Borthwick is awful as Head Coach of England.

1 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 28 minutes ago

Key Wallabies trio running hot a year after being left in cold

Good to be writing about a WB team that has beaten two 6 N sides in successive weeks, Brett.

Lolesio indeed is looking very comfortable under Schmidt coaching. He must feel as confident now as he was feeling in his spell at Toulon last year. It will be interesting to see how he does against Finn Russell.

30 Go to comments

J Marc 51 minutes ago

'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Your unterstanding of the relation FFR LNR, is far better than the one in the article. For Meafou, there is an article on Skelton saying he is totally indispensable in the australian game.

In France they are often compared, and french game is often, but not always ,based on this kind of number 5. But , there are a lot of kind of play in France and in the world, and it's a blessing, because otherwise, the game would be boring.

On my other post ,which you replied, my intention was to explain with some historics facts the main importance, in France, of the championship.

But ,once again, I would prefer 3 games in NZ , with the better french players.

287 Go to comments

Ninjin 1 hour ago

Let's be real about these All Blacks

I said before the November tests that the AB's should go smash some Nh teams to find their feet and it seems that is just what they did bar France. Could have should have always sucks. Better to look to the future.

22 Go to comments