Appointment of Tony Brown means All Blacks’ top job no longer comes with full control
Tuesday, 9 June 2026
ANALYSIS: Prior to NZ Rugby's shock announcement that Tony Brown would join the All Blacks from 2028, the concept of potentially building a coaching staff around an assistant would have been deemed ridiculous.
For multiple reasons.
The most obvious was that NZ Rugby has, in the past, always made the head coach its top priority when contracting for the next cycle. It was then up to the boss to pick his offsiders.
Not anymore. There has been a significant change of attitude at HQ.
NZ Rugby, having guaranteed Brown a place on the All Blacks staff in 2028 and 2029, has burned the book of orthodox practice.
Rarely, if ever, has a top rugby nation taken the brave step of telling the next head coach that when he arrives at the office, there will already be someone waiting inside. Like it or not, that's the way it's going to be.
NZ Rugby and Brown have put a lot of faith in each other. It could be argued, too, that whoever coaches the All Blacks beyond the 2027 World Cup must do the same.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has only been contracted through to the global tournament.
As former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson discovered after NZ Rugby sacked him in January, two years into a deal that was supposed to stretch through to the World Cup, things can change very quickly.
NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster said Rennie, who will begin his tenure with the All Blacks when they host France, Italy and Ireland in New Zealand next month, has been briefed on Project Tony Brown.
Rennie supported the appointment which was driven by incoming high performance director Don Tricker.
Brown will work under Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus through to the end of next year before switching allegiances.
A lot of respected rugby types around the globe have positive things to say about Brown; he's well regarded for his work ethic, innovation and ability to communicate with players.
If you want a high-quality operator to work with the attack, Brown is your man.
Which may not be the flashest news for Mike Blair, the person who Rennie preferred as his attack coach, if he wants to stick around beyond the World Cup.
While Lancaster said it would be the head coach's decision to work out which portfolio Brown should have - in other words, there's no guarantee he would be guiding the attack - it's difficult to believe Brown won't get that prized role.
The former All Blacks first five-eighth is experienced. Having assisted Jamie Joseph with Japan for eight years, Brown then signed a four-deal to be a part of the Springboks' set-up.
It should also be noted Erasmus has graciously accepted Brown's decision to sign with NZ Rugby.
Maybe that's because Erasmus knows that he can keep pumping Brown for more information about the psyche of the New Zealand rugby player prior to the daunting seven-match tour of South Africa in August and September.
All Blacks supporters will hope it goes both ways; that when Brown finally gets his boots back on New Zealand soil, he unzips a big bag full of secrets and spills the beans about what causes the Springboks the most discomfort on the field.
Anyone who has dealt with professional rugby teams - especially the All Blacks - will know how paranoid they can be when it comes to protecting their intellectual property; Erasmus will know he can't ask Brown to sign a gentleman's agreement and withhold secrets .
In the cut-throat world of international footy, rugby romantics get spat out the door.
If the All Blacks and Springboks collide in the quarterfinal at the World Cup, which appears likely, one of the heavyweights will be going home.
If NZ Rugby doesn't decide to extend Rennie's contract before the global tournament, it will have to advertise the position.
Given the fallout that took place when Roberton was appointed before the 2023 World Cup in France, which meant Ian Foster knew he would be out of a job after the tournament, NZ Rugby isn't likely to choose that option.
Which leaves two options. Tell Rennie that regardless of what happens at the World Cup, he's still got a job.
Or judge him on his results. If they don't meet expectations, invite others to apply.
The options could be limited if NZ Rugby, as they did this year, says it won't accept CVs from those who haven't coached at international level.
Joseph, already overlooked twice by NZ Rugby in three years, could work with his good mate Brown if not bruised by previous rejections.
The other option could be Joe Schmidt.
That could depend if he has the appetite to live out of a suitcase for the majority of the year, however. Schmidt will remain employed by Rugby Australia through to 2027 when he hands over control of the Wallabies to Les Kiss after the July tests.
The big winner, for now, is Brown.
Thanks to NZ Rugby he's guaranteed a pay cheque through to 2029. He just won't know who his boss will be.
Brown has put his trust in NZ Rugby to get that right.
They, in return, may be using Brown as a juicy carrot to secure the best coach beyond 2027.