Mixed loyalty not issue as Brown aims to lift Shield off old team

Otago coach Mark Brown has seen backstage where the magic happens.

Brown spent years in the Canterbury system making his way through the coaching ranks.

He was the co-coach of Canterbury in 2020 and 2021 — the Covid years.

The former Otago B loose forward served a three-year apprenticeship as an assistant before that and led the under-19 team from 2014 to 2016.

But let us call it all a dress rehearsal for the main act — to return in Otago colours and engineer a successful Ranfurly Shield heist.

That is the plan, anyway.

Otago will take the bus to Christchurch on Friday with the aim of upsetting Canterbury the following afternoon.

And there are no mixed emotions for Brown.

"Not at all," he said.

"I'm really grateful for my time at Canterbury. That's where I sort of kicked off my coaching.

"But I’ve moved on from there now and I'm back home coaching, and this is where I've always aspired to be.

"So, like I said, when I was first appointed, this is my dream job and I'm enjoying every minute of it."

It has been going awfully well, too.

After several years of underachieving, Otago have climbed their way up to second in the NPC standings.

The gutsy 28-26 win over Taranaki in Dunedin at the weekend was as much about character as it was skill and execution.

It was the sort of game that would have slipped away from Otago last year.

But they have a major challenge in front of them this weekend.

Canterbury are unbeaten this season.

They demolished Southland 54-14 in round six to win the Ranfurly Shield, and they scored late to repel a strong challenge from Tasman on Sunday.

"They've got a really good rugby environment up there," Brown said, adding their player depth was impressive.

"As I've alluded to in the past, your depth is really important in the NPC.

"They've got a good stable of Super players, but they've got some quality players sitting in behind them who are helping them through to where they are at the moment.

"We're much the same, to be fair."

The Ranfurly Shield butterflies had not kicked in yet, Brown said.

"I'm sure they'll come, but there's a lot to get through.

"I'm just focused on getting through that, and putting my best foot forward so the boys can put their best foot forward too."

There will be a change or two when the team comes out today.

All Blacks No 8 Christian Lio-Willie will miss the game due to a family bereavement.

Midfielder Josh Whaanga picked up an ankle injury during the game against Taranaki and will need to prove his fitness later in the week.

Brown’s selections have been consistent, so it is unlikely there will be many other changes.

Konrad Toleafoa shapes as the likely replacement for Lio-Willie. But Will Stodart could potentially start at No8 as well, which would free up a spot on the side of the scrum for Oliver Haig.

adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz