Victor Matfield addresses the 'IP' question over Tony Brown's All Blacks move

Springbok great Victor Matfield says Tony Brown’s move from the Springboks to the All Blacks following next year’s Rugby World Cup will only make the rivalry between the two nations “even bigger”, adding that he isn’t concerned about the IP that the attack coach will take with him.

Brown, a former All Blacks playmaker, joined Rassie Erasmus’ coaching staff in 2024 and quickly made his mark, bringing the high-tempo game he led at the Highlanders and with Japan’s Brave Blossoms to the back-to-back world champions.

The attack guru is now the only coach contracted to the All Blacks beyond the current Rugby World Cup cycle, with new head coach Dave Rennie and his staff signed only on 18-month contracts after taking over following Scott Robertson’s shock exit.

Matfield said that knowing Brown is leaving wouldn’t change anything for the Springboks, who have entered Rugby World Cups with planned turnover on their coaching ticket before.

“One thing I do like about Rassie is his open communication. Before the last World Cup, we knew Jacques (Nienaber) and Felix (Jones) were going to leave, almost a year before the World Cup, and they still did a fantastic job,” the 127-Test Springbok said on this week’s episode of the Rugby Rivals podcast.

“That must be Tony’s dream, he’s a New Zealander, he’s a proud All Black. It must be the ultimate job for him. So, we’ll use him; we’ll tap into all of his knowledge for this last year. Hopefully, he gets a World Cup with the Boks, and then it’s going to be an even bigger rivalry.”

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The news of Brown’s signing so far in advance came as a surprise to Matfield’s podcast co-host, former All Black John Kirwin, who was thrilled to see New Zealand Rugby working so proactively.

“I’ve never seen the New Zealand Rugby Union do anything like this, so I’m really excited about it. For them to announce something so far ahead, for me, it’s the first time I’ve seen them be really positive in what they want to do moving forward,” the former Test winger said, before engaging in some friendly banter.

“I understand he’s got to stay and do his job, and then we’re going to steal all of your IP, Victor, and bring it back to New Zealand, which is what you guys have done with Browny in the first place.”

Regarding the Springboks’ IP, Matfield’s concerns were limited, though he did reflect on a similar situation from his playing career.

“What Rassie’s doing at the moment, I think everyone knows what the DNA of the Springboks is: they want to dominate set-piece, they want to dominate territory; the kicking game, aerial battle is so important to us, and then we’ve got some X-factor players on the wings; guys who can step and hurt you from anywhere.

“I think most of the guys know exactly what we do, how we do it.

“Yes, of course, I remember when Gert Smal went to Ireland. He worked with me for hours on line-outs. It was really difficult, because he knew exactly how I thought about the game.

“So, of course, there will be certain things he’d probably be able to take there. But remember, it is the same the other way, he’s sharing everything with the Boks, he’s giving his best to the team, so when he goes there, we’ll also know how he thinks and what he would like to get out of the attack…

“Let’s just win our third (World Cup), and then you can have him, because then we need some competition.”