Tony Brown appointed Highlanders coach

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Former All Blacks flyhalf and Japan assistant coach Tony Brown has been appointed coach of the Dunedin-based Highlanders for the next two years.

Brown’s appointment to replace Aaron Mauger, who was not reappointed after the 2020 season, was announced by the Highlanders on Tuesday.

The 45-year-old Brown combined with Jamie Joseph to guide the Highlanders to their first Super Rugby title in 2015. He later reluctantly took over as coach, though he made clear he felt he lacked the experience for the role.

After working under Joseph in Japan, guiding the national team’s Rugby World Cup campaign last season, Brown returns to Dunedin with more confidence.

“It’s pretty well documented that in 2017 I was a reluctant head coach,” Brown said. “I just felt that at that time my biggest influence on the team was on the grass.

“I still believe that to be the case. But I just believe that over the last three years I’ve developed the right skills and been able to create the right amount of time for me to do both.”

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