VIDEO: The Bok playmaker who inspired Tony Brown
SPOTLIGHT: New Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown says he tried to model his own game style on a Springbok legend during his playing days.
The former New Zealand flyhalf is busy formulating plans to help the Boks evolve their attacking game and he was officially unveiled to media in Cape Town this week.
He takes over the role which was previously held by Felix Jones.
Brown is a Highlanders legend and he notched up 18 Test caps for the All Blacks during his playing career.
One player he would have encountered on the rugby field during his playing days was former flyhalf Henry Honiball and Brown admitted the Bok had a big influence on his career.
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“Firstly, it is just a massive privilege to be sitting here,” Brown told reporters in Cape Town.
“The Springboks have got a massively proud history and for me to come in and try to be a part of that and add to that is a huge honour.
“The way that the Springboks play the game is always admired around the world and I have always been a big admirer of the way South African teams play, especially the Springboks.
“My favourite player was Henry Honiball and I probably tried to play that way as well.”
Brown added: “What the Springboks have done over the last two World Cups is massively impressive.
“The way they are able to win big games of rugby and win the key moments has been a pleasure to watch and for me and it is just exciting to be a part of that.”
Evolution
Brown will be using his experiences as a player and coach to help take the Boks’ attacking game to a new level.
“Every team has got to be able to keep their DNA and identity. It’s the main part of how they play the game,” said Brown.
“The way the Springboks play is around physicality. It’s a huge part of how they prepare and how they perform at Test-match level.
“For me coming in and coaching that style of game is exciting and there are definitely things I can take from playing in New Zealand and coaching in Japan.
“There are things that I can evolve and put into a way that the Springboks can go out and play Test matches.
“We will never ever change the Springboks’ identity. I will just find ways to add to how they play the game.”
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