Two phrases stand out from the thousands of words written about Tony Eion Brown this week.
“To beat the All Blacks, you must be brave and bring something else.”
That was the words of former All Black flyhalf Lima Sopoaga.
All Black coach Scott Robertson described Brown as “brutally tough”, which perhaps explains why he has fitted so seamlessly into the Springbok set-up.
Brown, a former All Black playmaker, was one of the key additions to Rassie Erasmus’ coaching panel this year.
Perhaps what makes him more valuable than other additions – like Jerry Flannery and Jaco Peyper – is that Brown is intimately familiar with the current All Black coaches and players, having played against and more recently coached against them.
Perhaps they were just prevaricating – blowing smoke, so to speak – but the All Black camp was full of praise for Brown in the build-up to Saturday’s crucial Rugby Championship Round Three face-off at Ellis Park.
The All Black coach, Robertson, led the choir singing Brown’s praises.
“Everyone knows how South Africa play,” the All Black boss said, adding: “Their kicking game is exemplary, their ruck work [also].
“They’re playing a little bit more.
“They’ve got a bit of Tony Brown magic in there.
“They can play around you if they need to.
“Look, we’re well aware of all their strengths but it’s the physicality that comes with any Springbok team.”
Robertson was full of praise for the former All Blacks flyhalf, who turned down his offer to join his coaching ticket when he first punted for the top gig in New Zealand in 2019.
“I played Under-20 and New Zealand Colts with him,” Robertson said of Brown.
“Ah, he is tough, brutally tough.
“[He has] a great mind. A good rugby man and he’s brought a little bit of his magic touch to the Springboks.
“We’ve seen their game evolve and how they play, how they use their forwards so they’re doing well.”
(Article continues below the Scott Robertson interview …)
Former All Black flyhalf Lima Sopoaga described Brown as “one of the most gifted coaches” in terms of attack.
“He is one of my favourite people I have been coached by,” Sopoaga said on Behind the Ruck podcast.
“His mind and how he sees the game is phenomenal.
“To beat the All Blacks, you must be brave and bring something else.
“Tony Brown is an absolute master for unlocking attacks and defences.
“We might see the Springboks have a few tricks up their sleeve this week.”
Robertson’s new attack assistant Scott Hansen said he has ‘enjoyed’ watching the Boks’ attacking evolution.
“They are world champions and they are playing like it,” he told a media briefing in the build-up to the Ellis Park face-off.
“They are very confident in their game – their brand of forward power, kicking pressure and their ability to use the ball.
“We are excited to face them on Saturday.
“It is going to be a hell of a game.”
Asked about Brown’s influence’s influence, Hansen said he has first-hand experience of the qualities of the All Black – having coached with him at the Sunwolves and the Japan national team.
“I can see his personality in their team,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “His excitement to use the ball.
“What I have enjoyed is how they are using the ball – be it their forwards or backs.
“They have a dynamic game around power and their ability at set pieces.
“For us, the game starts there.”
All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara echoed his coach’s sentiment.
“Their attacking game was growing previously.
“They have been playing a good attacking game over several years.
“Under Brownie, you can see a little bit of his creativity coming through.
“However, I don’t want to discredit the players that are there too.
“Some of the South African backs are some of the most skilled and talented players in the game.
“So, yes Brownie’s influence is there and he is making a difference, but he’s got a really good cattle of players that he’s working with too with some amazing skills, who have been showing those skills for a long time.”
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