Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald believes NZ Rugby may have had more than one reason for announcing Tony Brown’s future return to the All Blacks set-up.
Brown, currently the Springboks’ attack coach, has signed a two-year contract with NZ Rugby and will join the All Blacks after the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
The former All Blacks flyhalf has spent the past two years helping shape the evolution of the Springboks’ attack under Rassie Erasmus and is contracted to SA Rugby until the end of the 2027 World Cup.
While the appointment has been widely viewed as a major coup for NZ Rugby, Donald suspects the timing of the announcement may not have been accidental.
Speaking on The Aftermatch podcast, the 2011 World Cup-winning flyhalf suggested the move could even be a subtle psychological play ahead of this year’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the Springboks and All Blacks.
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“He’s probably the most desired assistant coach in all of rugby and they’ve got their man,” said Donald.
“I initially thought, ‘Crazy timing – why are we announcing this?’ But then I thought about it. Is it actually a power play from New Zealand Rugby to get into the heads of their greatest rival? Just to have it in their minds that he’s coming to us in 18 months’ time.”
Donald then took the theory a step further.
“Maybe it’s the ultimate mind game back at Rassie,” he said. “Seeing their man in a Springbok tracksuit, saying he’ll be in an All Blacks tracksuit in 18 months’ time.”
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
