Tony Brown talks Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's form, the hunt for a new All Blacks coach, and his total commitment to the Springboks through to the 2027 World Cup. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
New Zealander Tony Brown says the new All Blacks coach will be announced this week, but regardless of who it is, he believes New Zealand will bounce back to their best this year after a period of off-field turmoil.
Springbok attack coach Brown says August and September’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour will be closer than South African fans seem to think, and that the four Tests will be hotly contested. Regarding the shock sacking of All Black head coach Scott Robertson in January, Brown said he was caught unawares.
“As it played out, it was very surprising that NZ Rugby made the change. They obviously felt that it was required,” Brown said. "I think they’re looking at appointing a coach this week, and I only know as much as you guys.
“It’s obviously between Dave Rennie and Jamie Joseph, and they’re both quality coaches, both experienced at international level. And whoever gets the job, I can guarantee you the All Blacks will be very good this year.”
In the days after Robertson was fired on January 15, there was strong conjecture that Brown would ask the Boks for an early release so that he could join his friend, Joseph, in a potential All Blacks coaching staff.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus squashed the speculation with a public announcement that Brown was committed to the Boks until the next World Cup.
“I haven’t thought about the future, to be fair,” said Brown.
“I’m just going to get through these next two years. I’m fully committed to South Africa until after the World Cup. And what will be, will be. I just haven’t really thought what I’m going to do after the World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Brown was asked for his thoughts on the form of Stormers and Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has been off-colour in his team’s recent defeats to the Lions and Sharks.
“I’ll give him a cuddle, he’ll be okay,” Brown joked.
“In the Springbok environment, the way we train, the way we play, and the way we use every player to do his job, he fits in and it’s easy for him,” Brown said. “He understands his role. He doesn’t have to do everything on his own.”
Brown feels that Feinberg-Mngomezulu is taking on too much.
“The Stormers are in a bit of a slump, and he’s probably trying to do too much by himself,” he said. “If I have to say something to him, it would be: use the players around you more, don’t always try to take everyone on yourself.”
* Mike Greenaway is a senior rugby reporter at Independent Media and contributor on our Last World on Rugby podcast on our YouTube channel, The Clutch