Tony Brown (Attack Coach) of the Springboks. Photo: Steve Haag/Getty Images
All Blacks v Springboks
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 6 September
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Former All Black Tony Brown has returned to New Zealand this week, wearing the dark green of the Springboks in his role as assistant coach. Brown has already tasted Springbok victory over the All Blacks, and is looking forward to another monumental showdown between the two greatest rivals in test rugby.
Speaking before the team left South Africa, the former Highlanders and Japan co-coach underlined just how important the test will be at Eden Park on 6 September.
"We've got to go and take on New Zealand in Auckland, and that's probably going to be the biggest game of rugby since the World Cup final. So, it's hugely exciting to be a part of," he said.
Brown is into his second season on the Springbok coaching staff, helping them defeat the All Blacks twice last year in Johannesburg and Cape Town. However, Rassie Erasmus' world champion side are now heading to a venue that the All Blacks haven't lost at since 1994 - and the Springboks haven't won at since 1937.
He said that his time as the first New Zealander to be in the Springbok coaching set up has meant that he has been used as a resource for both on and off the field information.
Tony Brown is tackled by Bobby Skinstad. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
"Being a Kiwi in the Springbok environment … asking me questions around the haka, about the All Blacks, about rugby in New Zealand. You know, I've got obviously got some insights into how we play the game and what the haka means to the New Zealanders, what the All Blacks means in New Zealand [and] what the coaching team are like."
It's that last point that really spells out how important his inside knowledge can be for the famously detail-oriented Erasmus.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson and Highlanders head coach Tony Brown Photo: PhotoSport
"I've played with the (All Black) coach, I've coached with a lot of the coaching team, coached against them a lot. So I've got some massive insights into how the All Blacks operate. And for me, being part of the Springboks is a massive honour, then being able to coach against obviously my home country is super exciting.
"I want to be part of those test matches and there is no opportunity to coach New Zealand. So I'd rather be coaching the Springboks than coaching a URC team, sitting in the stands or watching on TV. I want to be part of the biggest games on the biggest stages."
However, much like the All Blacks, the Springboks come in on somewhat shaky form after a loss to the Wallabies at Ellis Park and less-than-convincing follow up at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. Their attack plan, which Brown had masterminded, was heavily criticised after the first up loss and the side reverted back to a more traditional kick-heavy plan.
Part of what Brown and Erasmus now need to figure out is what parts will unlock the All Black defence, with one of the key priorities being who will play at first five. They have Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok in their squad, all of whom have played pivotal roles in wins over the All Blacks.
Springbok first five Handre Pollard. Photo: Warren Little - World Rugby via Getty Images
"I think everyone thinks they're all different, but ultimately, we need them to do the same job around being able to control our game, control field position, be massively important around controlling the forwards. Then being able to move the ball when opportunities arise and be able to take space themselves.
"I don't coach Handre different to the way I coach Manie or Sasha. Yes, Manie might be a little bit quicker than Handre, but Handre might be a little bit more physical. So they do have little differences, but I'll never coach them a different way ... to the job that the team needs them to do," said Brown.
Overall, the Springboks have shown quite a bit of intent to move the ball, often using their big loose forwards right out on the edge of the field to commit defenders.
"You can't attack with backs alone. Backs need the forward to create momentum, get over the gain line for the backs to use their skill and agility … the better we attack together, the better the opportunities we create."
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