Ex-All Black provides fascinating insight into Springboks’ new attack coach who is always ‘one step ahead’
Springboks in a huddle alongside new attack coach Tony Brown.
Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons has revealed where new attack coach Tony Brown could benefit the Springboks during this new four-year cycle.
The ex-Highlanders boss, who is very highly rated in New Zealand, joined Rassie Erasmus’ backroom team in February 2024 ahead of the upcoming Test season.
Brown is known as having an excellent rugby brain when it comes to the attacking side of the sport and could revolutionise South Africa’s game.
He is looking to make them more potent with ball in hand, something which has been one of their weaker points over the last few years.
Face each other in Super Rugby
Two-times capped All Blacks hooker Parsons knows Brown’s methods well having regularly played against the Highlanders during his time with the Blues.
The 37-year-old reckons the former Japan coach will be particularly influential off set-piece as the Boks seek to become more effective from first phase.
“The Springboks are so strong, you don’t want to change too much, but it’s strike plays which is Tony Brown’s kettle of fish,” he said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“Phase play and kick strategy will remain pretty similar but their strike plays (will be different).
“What I mean by strike plays, if you remember the 2015 Super Rugby final, Lima Sopoaga spun his back to the opposition and kicked the ball over his head from a four-man lineout.
“He loves a four-man lineout and the reason he loves a four-man lineout is that all the players can run the same lines and you can have three or four variations.
“From a defensive point of view, it looks the same every time, but you don’t know what’s going to happen. Maybe there will be a four-man lineout strike, some different attacking methods off scrum.
“The thing with Tony Brown is that he is one step ahead. There will be something fresh and nine times out of 10 it comes off a lineout for him.”
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South Africa v Ireland prediction
The Springboks put the number one spot on the line when the world champions take on Ireland in a two-Test series. They go head-to-head in Pretoria later on Saturday before they face off for a second time in Durban next weekend.
There has been a debate around whether Ireland are actually the best in the world, despite the Boks’ World Cup success.
Parsons delved into that conversation and also discussed the upcoming encounters between the nations, predicting his winner.
“How much abuse do I want to get from one nation?” he said.
“I think they’re the least disrupted teams off the back of the World Cup. South Africa are the world champions so in my view they are the best team in the world.
“If Ireland go to South Africa, I will happily say they are number one if they come out with a series victory because that will be some effort.
“From what I saw last week from a Springboks side that was supposed to be weakened, now with the big dogs… Ireland are a very good side, it’s nothing against them, but I just think the Springboks at home (are too strong).
“I’m even thinking about when the All Blacks have to go there later in the year, it’s a mountain to climb.”
