Springboks’ Tony Brown Secretly Turned Down an All Blacks Offer Six Months Ago
- Tony Brown is said to have secretly turned down the chance to join the All Blacks of New Zealand coaching crew
- The move from the All Blacks reportedly happened when Scott Robertson was still the head coach of the team
- The Springboks assistant coach also opened up on his ambition of taking up the All Blacks coaching job in the future
Six months ago, Springboks assistant coach Tony Brown reportedly declined an offer to join the All Blacks of New Zealand.
Last week, Scott Robertson was dismissed as the All Blacks coach, sparking unexpected speculation about Brown potentially returning to New Zealand.
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According to reports, Jamie Joseph is the frontrunner to assume the role of All Blacks head coach. This situation is notable because, while only Rassie Erasmus has finalised a new contract with the Springboks, his assistant coaches have yet to do so. Brown, however, was quick to downplay any rumours of a move.
“I’m fully contracted and don’t have an option to exit, so I’ll remain in South Africa until the Rugby World Cup,” Brown told The Post.
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“Right now, it’s all just speculation. I’m not even clear on what New Zealand Rugby’s intentions are. There hasn’t been any concrete information.”
Brown rejected the All Blacks months ago
According to stuff.co.nz, Brown revealed that former All Blacks head coach Robertson had approached him to become part of his coaching team.
The outlet cited an interview Brown gave to New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB.
Although Brown expressed interest in working with the All Blacks, he said he was committed to fulfilling his contract with the Springboks, which led him to turn down the opportunity. He also indicated that he remains open to the possibility of joining the New Zealand side at a later date.
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Brown opens up on coaching All Blacks
Brown made it clear he would not have hesitated to take on the All Blacks role if the opportunity had aligned with his circumstances. He said the job appealed to him in the past, still does now, and remains a long-term ambition, but the timing never worked in his favour. He explained that his four-year agreement with South Africa was something he was determined to see through, as he has always prioritised honouring his commitments.
The 51-year-old also disclosed that he had held direct discussions with Scott Robertson just a few months before Robertson lost his position as All Blacks head coach.
Brown admitted the situation left him disappointed, revealing that he had spoken to Robertson about a possible move but reiterated that he was tied to his South Africa contract.
He added that his biggest frustration was not being approached two years earlier, noting that such situations are part of the realities of professional rugby coaching. Ultimately, he accepted that Robertson already had his staff in place, which forced him to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Brown stressed that he still holds Robertson’s record in high regard, but raised concerns about the manner in which New Zealand Rugby managed the issue.
He noted that leadership should be set at the highest level, adding that NZ Rugby had a responsibility to lead by example.
The Springboks assistant coach also pointed out that the All Blacks were not performing badly enough to justify such a drastic decision, arguing that abruptly parting ways with the head coach has left the organisation facing a significant challenge as it prepares for 2026.
Springboks star ruled out of the season
Briefly News also reported that a Springboks star has suffered a season-ending injury, which means he is set to be out for a long period in 2026.
The South African rugby star's injury comes as bad news for both his club and the Springboks as he's now expected to undergo surgery in a few days.
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Source: Briefly News
