‘Tougher’ Brown holds key
Tony Brown’s long association with hard taskmaster Jamie Joseph appears to be having an effect on him.
Brown has returned to the Highlanders from Japan as a different coach – with a tougher edge.
That fascinating observation, made by experienced Highlander Rob Thompson this week, adds another layer of interest to Brown’s return to Dunedin as the Highlanders prepare to face the Sharks tonight – and another reason for All Blacks’ fans to lament the fact that Brown slipped through the net and will keep coaching Japan when the test season rolls around.
‘‘His old fizz, his old attacking lineout weapons that’s he got there,’’ Thompson said when asked what Brown had brought to the Highlanders’ pre-season.
‘‘[But] he’s a lot tougher than he was two years ago, which is probably that time he spent with ‘Jake’ [Joseph]. It’s the edge that we need, I believe.’’
Given his playing career it makes perfect sense that Brown doesn’t suffer fools gladly on the training paddock.
He was as hard as it gets in the No 10 jersey, willingly putting his body on the line against bigger opponents. He won’t ask anything of the Highlanders players he wasn’t prepared to do himself.
But the pressure of coaching Japan in their ‘home’ Rugby World Cup also appears to have contributed to Brown’s development and decreased his tolerance for any sloppiness at training.
Whether that translates into a strong start against the Sharks is the big question.
In some ways, a number of factors are lining up against the Highlanders.
First, the opening-round bye means they will be rustier than the South Africans. Second, they have six debutants in their match-day 23, reflecting the high turnover of players since 2019.
And third, the Sharks are no mugs. Although they have lost some forward beef they have the prodigiously talented Curwin Bosch at No 10 and two backs – centre Lukhanyo Am and wing Makazole Mapimpi – who played starring roles in the Rugby World Cup final in November.
However, the Highlanders’ backline has ample creativity in it and head coach Aaron Mauger revealed on Wednesday that they had set All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith the challenge of being ready to start months ago.
There is also the promise of impact from the bench, with Shannon Frizell, Teariki BenNicholas and Jesse Parete all capable of producing big moments with their athleticism and physicality.
The Highlanders will be desperate for a winning start – they hit the road to face the Brumbies and Crusaders in the next two rounds – and collecting at least four competition points at home will be more important than a gold-plated performance.
But you can bet that Brown will be looking for both.