Will Tony Brown lead an attacking revolution with the Springboks?
Tony Brown during a Japan training session.
Former All Black playmaker Tony Brown’s move to the Springboks coaching team looks even more likely with reports from Stuff claiming it is a ‘done deal’.
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been looking to add to his backroom staff after the changes that came after their second Rugby World Cup title last year.
Head coach and defence guru of that campaign Jacques Nienaber opted to take a senior coaching role at Leinster whilst assistant for the back-to-back world titles Felix Jones traded green and gold for the white of England.
Erasmus, who was hospitalised last week after a freak chemical incident, has returned to the head coaching role alongside his director duties and Brown looks to be his first new recruit.
Brown is no stranger to the Rainbow Nation having played for both the Sharks and Stormers during his career as a player before gathering boatloads of experience in the coaching space.
The New Zealander has held several head coaching roles including at the Highlanders, and Sunwolves whilst also serving as an assistant coach for Japan under Jamie Joseph.
Fresh attack loading?
It will be fascinating to see how the Springboks‘ attack will change with Brown in the set-up, especially with the X-factor in the squad in the form of Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie, Grant Williams, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse amongst others. The options are certainly there.
Brown’s arrival ticks one of the boxes but there is still the defence coach void to fill with former Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery the leading candidate for that role despite links late last year with recently retired Duane Vermeulen, who looks to be set to take up a position within the Stormers structures.
There is no doubt that Erasmus will be looking to do what no other team has done and push for a three-peat of World Cup titles. However, this time around he will not be able to rely on the same core of players that went back-to-back.
The coach’s decision-making around cutting off the old guard and blooding new talent will be crucial. Perhaps there may be different accents to the Springboks this cycle with that attacking talent and X-factor at their disposal.
