New Zealand-based rugby writer Mark Reason says the Springbok backline will improve immensely under Tony Brown’s tutelage, which is a concern for the All Blacks.
Brown, who served as an assistant coach for Japan from 2016 to the 2023 World Cup and was also the Highlanders head coach in 2017, 2021 and 2022, was announced as the Boks’ new attack coach by SA Rugby on Tuesday.
Writing for New Zealand’s Stuff.nz, Reason posed whether Brown’s decision to accept the post is potentially traitorous due to New Zealand and South Africa’s rivalry.
He is concerned that Brown, armed with behind-the-scenes IP of New Zealand rugby, could enhance the world champion Boks’ backs, posing a threat to the All Blacks.
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Reason draws parallels to Brendon McCullum coaching England against New Zealand in cricket, while acknowledges the increasing mercenary nature of coaching in modern sports and public sentiment.
He explores the debate on whether player loyalty should match coaching loyalty, citing instances like James Lowe and Bundee Aki representing Ireland after not being chosen by the All Blacks.
“The prospect of Brown bringing all his inside knowledge to South Africa and revitalising a backline with immense unfulfilled talent is a scary one for New Zealand,” Reason writes.
“Young men like Jaden Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie will grow hugely under Brown’s tutelage.
“To some New Zealanders it seemed like a betrayal when Brendon McCullum went to coach England with a Test cricket series against their own country imminent. It seemed like an unpatriotic thing for a former captain of New Zealand to do.
“But maybe we live in an age of sport that has become so mercenary that the public has no qualms about who coaches who.”
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