Springboks assistant coach Tony Brown turned down an approach to join the All Blacks six months ago, according to a report.
Brown said that he was approached by then-All Blacks coach Scott Robertson to join his coaching staff, stuff.co.nz reports.
The website quoted an interview with New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB.
While Brown said he would like to be involved with the All Blacks, he always planned to honour his contract with the Springboks and therefore had to turn the offer down. He also left the door open to join the All Blacks in the future.
All Blacks Coaching Changes: Jamie Joseph Leads as Brown Denies Return to South Africa
Last week Robertson was fired as All Blacks coach, and the unexpected turn was that Brown was linked with a possible move back to his homeland.
Jamie Joseph is the top candidate to take over as head coach of the All Blacks according to reports.
This is significant because it was reported that only Rassie Erasmus has signed a new contract with the Springboks, and not his assistants. Brown, though, sought to throw cold water over the rumours.
“I’m obviously contracted. I don’t have an ‘out’ of my contract, so I’m back in South Africa [until the Rugby World Cup],” Brown told The Post.
“Everything’s just speculation. I’m not even sure what New Zealand Rugby’s plans are. No one’s really heard anything.”
It means that Brown is certainly not going anywhere until after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
In December when Saru made the announcement about Erasmus, it also said: “An announcement on the contract negotiations with other members of the Springbok coaching team will be made in due course.”
@Michael_Sherman
Sport
