New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster spoke at length yesterday about Brown’s elevation to the All Blacks but everything came back to the same point.
The All Blacks finally had a chance to get one of world rugby’s elite brains on their staff, and it was time to act.
There is an element of the highly unusual to the appointment of former Highlanders and Otago coach Brown as an assistant coach.
His job does not start until 2028, when the All Blacks do not even have a head coach contracted yet, and he will continue to work for New Zealand’s greatest rivals, South Africa, until then.
But Brown’s consummate professionalism has clearly eased any concerns over a conflict of interest, and his widely respected coaching skills have made it a no-brainer to finally get him back in New Zealand after his years with Japan and the Springboks.
‘‘One of the things we’re really fortunate with in New Zealand is that we have a lot of coaches coaching at a really high level, and Tony’s no different,’’ Lancaster said.
‘‘We’ve remained in dialogue with Tony over recent years, and it just got to a point in time where he was considering what’s next after the World Cup.
‘‘We’ve been keen for a long time to have him coaching in New Zealand. The stars aligned, and we were able to reach an agreement.’’
New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has only been contracted until the end of 2027.
It is a fair bet, however, that his tenure will extend beyond that, and Lancaster said uncertainty over the head coach role did not mean an assistant could not be installed.
‘‘Dave has been engaged in this process all the way through, and he’s really supportive of this recruitment, regardless of whether he’s the head coach or not after 2027.
‘‘What we know from dialogue with other coaches, previous head coaches, potential head coaches, is that everyone would have Tony Brown in their team.
‘‘This is about securing a world-class coach to come back to New Zealand.’’
It was an example of the realities of modern rugby.
‘‘We’ve now got situations where you have coaches around the world who are committed to a programme or a team, but are already committed to their next programme and signalled their intentions.
‘‘Dave Rennie is no different. He’s seen out his contract successfully with Kobe over the weekend, and it’s no different with Tony.
‘‘We’ve been in touch with South Africa. We’re in a really good space with them and with Tony.
‘‘He’ll honour his commitment with South Africa. He’ll do a good job. Then he’ll come back and do a good job for us.’’
Brown has signed a two-year deal, which includes a Lions tour of New Zealand in 2029.
Scotsman Mike Blair is Rennie’s incoming attack coach, but while it is assumed Brown will be given that portfolio, nothing is locked in yet.
‘‘Nothing is predetermined in terms of what role Tony will have.
‘‘We see his addition to the team as exactly that — an addition. He will add to the group.’’
Lancaster deflected questions around whether Brown’s elevation could have any significance for his longtime coaching partner, Jamie Joseph, the Highlanders coach who was Rennie’s principal rival for the top job.
‘‘Tony has been very clear with us, and with South Africa, that his ambition was to come back and coach the All Blacks at some point in time.
‘‘We’ve got an opportunity to secure him now, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.’’
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus had kind words for Brown following the news.
‘‘Tony has made a remarkable difference, both on and off the field, and he has always been upfront with us about wanting to be closer to his family and about the All Blacks holding a special place in his heart, and we are genuinely delighted for him,’’ Erasmus said.
‘‘We’ve made the mistake in the past of negotiating contracts in a RWC year, and this clarity will allow us all to go full steam ahead with our preparations for this and next season.’’
