BOKS OFFICE: Percy unlocks Tony Brown fear ahead of Boks v All Blacks
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks must hold on to Tony Brown extremely tightly amid the worldwide coaching conundrums.
It’s been a tumultuous couple of weeks in the rugby coaching world.
Over the weekend, England’s defence coach Felix Jones handed in his resignation just months after joining Steve Borthwick’s coaching set-up from South Africa.
Jones’ decision follows on from Aled Walters’ departure
Walters has swapped England for Ireland.
The highly-rated pair were members of the coaching team that helped South Africa secure the 2019 and 2023 World Cup titles.
According to various speculations, Jones wants to exit due to an unstable coaching environment, which is really troubling for England.
There are uncertainly around the timing of Jones’ exit due to a 12-month notice period in his contract, however, is not expected to be in place for New Zealand’s visit to Twickenham on November 2.
Joining the famous BOKS OFFICE hosted by Hanyani Shimange and Springbok duo Schalk Burger and Jean De Villiers, legend Percy Montgomery discussed the developments.
The star guest on this week’s episode Montgomery revealed that Jones couldn’t have timed his exit better – as long as the RFU don’t invoke the 12-month notice period in his contract.
“If there is a time to do it, the time is now,” said Montgomery.
“The next World Cup is coming and you want to get your coaching team together, that plays as you want.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand were very clear that a lack of alignment in coaching philosophy was to blame for Leon MacDonald leaving Scott Robertson’s All Blacks coaching team.
Now that MacDonald has gone, two other assistants, Scott Hansen and Tamati Ellison, will take on additional responsibilities as the All Blacks prepare for their biggest challenge of the year, against the world champion Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
How long that arrangement will continue is unclear.
However, with the All Blacks attack coach role vacant, Springbok supporters, Montgomery included, will be on edge as current attack coach Tony Brown could be a leading contender for the job.
Brown recently expressed interest in coaching at the All Blacks but remained committed to the Springboks for the next four years.
“I just hope Tony Brown doesn’t go to New Zealand and we keep him here,” said Montgomery.
“I played with Tony Brown when he was at the Sharks when he was flyhalf there. He’s a great guy and I can see his contribution to South African rugby, with the attacking.”
Burger added: “We have not lost TB yet, we have to keep him here.”
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