‘Super Exciting’: Brown Relishes Coaching Against His All Blacks Roots

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The South Africans have targeted the All Blacks' 50-Test unbeaten streak at Eden Park, as well as stealing a march in the Championship in the two Tests they will play in New Zealand.

Brown told South African media it was special to be back in New Zealand with the Springboks.

"Being a Kiwi in the Springbok environment...asking me questions around the haka, about the All Blacks, about rugby in New Zealand. I've got some massive insights into how the All Blacks operate."

Having played and coached alongside members of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's coaching unit, Brown believes he can bring that inside knowledge to South Africa's planning for the two Tests.

"Being part of the Springboks is a massive honour. Coaching against my home country is super exciting. I want to be part of the biggest games on the biggest stages."

Brown said his approach as attack coach is to continue South Africa's move to utilise a blend of the forwards and backs.

"You can't attack with backs alone. Backs need the forwards to create momentum and get over the gain line. The better we attack together, the better the opportunities we create."


Brown also works with the Springbok five-eighths, Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok and Sache Feinberg-Mngomezulu. His approach is to develop their control and decision-making more than their individual flair.

"They might have small differences, but I don't coach them differently. Ultimately, they need to control the game, manage the field position and take space when it's on."

The Springboks will be without hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who has stayed in South Africa for family reasons. His replacement is halfback Faf de Klerk.

Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery said, "We don't know what they are going to throw at us; they have individuals who have the X-factor, but we are prepared for that.

"We played well against them last year, but their team is relatively settled compared to then, and there is a lot of consistency there.

"We have to defend individuals, and they have tightened a bit on how they play, and they maul more.

"We have to work on our maul defence, it is something that hasn't been where we want it to be. They have good individual players and we must try to defend them within our system. Their maul is something that is going to be a challenge for us."

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