Jeff Wilson on the key quality Tony Brown could reintroduce to the All Blacks

Following New Zealand Rugby’s appointment of Springboks attack coach Tony Brown as the All Blacks‘ assistant from 2028, Jeff Wilson has previewed what difference he may make to the environment.

Brown will return to New Zealand after the conclusion of the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, after spending three years under Rassie Erasmus in South Africa.

The assistant coach’s portfolio will depend on who the head coach is, as the current group, including Dave Rennie, Jason Ryan, Neil Barnes, Tana Umaga, and Mike Blair, is only contracted until next year’s tournament.

Wilson, who played alongside Brown, explained on The Breakdown that his philosophy around the basics of the game will be important when he returns to the All Blacks.

“He always came up with ideas and I think the really important part about this for me, though, is that what Tony does, is he makes sure that you understand the fundamentals well, and you execute those well,” Wilson said.

“He drives players to have those expectations. So, when they can execute, the skill set is there. He doesn’t go away from that first. He builds that foundation of the fact that you need to have the handing skills, the kicking skills, the vision for the game.

“What he does do is he motivates his players, and he gives them the freedom to play, and I think that’s the big ticket for me about him, I get the sense I can pull the trigger, that Brownie trusts me to go out and play my game.”

The former All Black adds that this could be what the All Blacks have been missing of late, and that Brown will have a positive impact on the future generation of players.

“I think that’s something that I’d say a lot of New Zealanders would feel, that New Zealand rugby, for a time, may have lost, and maybe we’re trying to get back to that.

“Just nice to seal him up and get his pen to paper, and go, you know what, he’s in the future for our country.”

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Many fans and pundits have expressed concern about the timing of the announcement, but the current Sky Sport commentator doesn’t believe this will be a distraction for Rennie and his coaching staff.

“Dave Rennie, who’s been part of the process as well, understands why New Zealand Rugby have clearly done this. I don’t disagree with it in any way, shape, or form.

“Look, Dave Rennie’s focused on the next 18 months, and his coaching team, there’ll be a new conversation after the Rugby World Cup about who’s going to be the All Black coach going forward, that could be based on results, it could be based on the trajectory of where the team is heading.

“But now they’ve got a piece of that puzzle they know that could just add to what they already have got. Now, how that looks, look, I don’t think this coaching team will be concerned about this at all.”

New Zealand Rugby’s CEO Steve Lancaster said that Brown made his intentions clear, which helped the organisation secure the 51-year-old for two years.

“Tony is a world-class coach who is highly regarded and consistently sought after by head coaches and teams around the world.

“We know Tony is available after the 2027 Rugby World Cup and he’s made it clear he would love to be part of the All Blacks. This decision is simple, it’s about ensuring the best coaches return to New Zealand.

“It’s for the All Blacks Head Coach to shape the structure and portfolios of their coaching team and we have every confidence that Tony is a high-quality addition when he joins in 2028.”