The decision by the New Zealand Rugby Union to appoint Dave Rennie as the next All Blacks coach could go a long way to swaying Tony Brown to stay on as the Springboks’ attack coach beyond the next Rugby World Cup.
Brown’s future was in doubt when it emerged that the NZRU were looking at Jamie Joseph as a strong contender for the All Black position, and with Joseph being a close friend and confidant of Brown, there were doubts that the latter would stay with the Boks.
Brown did confirm he would see out his contract with the Springboks, which ends after the Rugby World Cup next year, but the expectation was that he could be lured back to New Zealand if Joseph was the All Black coach.
Brown has made no secret of wanting to coach in his home country and has partnered with Joseph coaching at the Highlanders, the Sunwolves and a long stint with the Japanese national side.
The decision to appoint Rennie over Joseph has been taken positively in New Zealand, but it is no secret according to reports in New Zealand media that Joseph is “miffed” at being overlooked despite doing everything possible to get the job.
Brown has been a revelation for the Springboks in their attacking game, taking the World Champions to a new level and unlocking new avenues to score tries. It isn’t an understatement to say that the Boks would want him to continue in the role for longer than his contract allows.
SA Rugby have been open that they have offered Brown a contract extension beyond the World Cup, but he said this week he had not given it any attention just yet.
Perhaps that was because he was waiting on word of Joseph and the All Black coaching job? While Brown has never said so, it would make sense if he did want to see where the appointment was made.
And it would make equal sense that now that his close friend won’t be coaching the All Blacks, that he may consider staying with the Boks longer than next season.
Brown said this week he was surprised with the decision to sack Scott Robertson but wouldn’t go into detail about his future. He was speaking before the announcement was made.
“Yeah, well, obviously, as it played out, it was very surprising that New Zealand Rugby made a change.They obviously felt that it was required. I think they're looking at appointing a coach this week at some stage. And I only know as much as you guys.
"It's obviously between Dave Rennie and Jamie Joseph. They're both quality coaches, both experienced at international level.
“And whoever gets the job, I can guarantee you the All Blacks will be very good this year.”
Brown said he hadn’t made any call on whether he would extend his contract or not.
“I haven't thought about it, to be fair. I'm just going to get through these next two years fully committed to South Africa until after the World Cup. And what will be will be. If I'm...Yeah, just haven't really thought about what I'm going to do after the World Cup.”
The Boks are continuing with their alignment camp, but it won’t be overly optimistic to say that the decision to appoint Rennie may suit Rassie Erasmus’ plans for the future for the Boks. And may well be the moment that convinces Brown to stay longer with the double World Champions.