Ex-Highlanders coach Tony Brown a 'done deal' for Springboks

What an interesting article, Nick. Late here, so will comment tomorrow am. “In the UK, you might have three whole months when you train set-piece and it’s pissing down. Over here, we very rarely experience games severely affected by weather..” Did you see the Waratahs game on the weekend ? If not have a look at the weather for that struck that one. Drowning would have a been a worry for any player trapped at the bottomof a pile up. Suspect the water polo people might be looking with interest at some of those rugby players after that game😀

Sam Cane is a superstar, someone New Zealand should be proud of. How unfair to always compare him to Richie, like saying Mother Theresa is ok, but she's no Jesus. Let's not forget, Sam started in 2012 around the time Richie was probably starting to think, this will be my last world cup cycle if you think he didn't have a big say in who the backup 7 would be and who was best to take over from him after 2015 then you don't understand how clever and forward thinking the man was. Sam Cane was Richie's choice, as apprentice and replacement. Not many people can say they are a better judge than Captain Fantastic. Richie had arguably the greatest rugby team ever assembled, DC, Reason, Kaino, Nonu, C Smith, SBW, Aaron Smith, B Smith, Mealamu, Thorne, Whitelock and Retallic in their prime. Played against an average team, some useless Aussies and only the French in the north who occasionally played wel Sam had Beauden and Jordie, an aging A Smith, Whitelock and Retallic and a group of backs and loosies looking overseas. He played against a SA team who were the world's best, a resurgent northern hemisphere, a strong Argentina. Aussie was still crap but got a lot of home games during COVID. Richie had Henry, Hansen and the Prof. and Razor at crusaders guiding him, Sam had Fozzie and some of his human shields, possibly the ugliest, most unimaginative coaching team ever at the Abs and Rennie and Gatland at the chiefs.. Imagine Sam had 6 years with Joe Schmidt or Razor as his coach. Richie fractured his foot, Sam broke his neck. Richie had a couple of tough months after 07, Sam got the blame for everything from 2020 - 2023. Who should be more proud of their achievements, their leadership and their teams success, wins and strength ? Anyone who understands rugby knows the loosies are a trio picked to complement each other, not 3 guys who score trys and make line breaks. No doubt Sam would love to be doing what Ardie does, that's not what was required of him. He had to hit rucks hard , force turnovers and tackle like an animal On defence, that's what he did. You are a superstar and a Kiwi role model Sam, it's a privilege to not only have watched you play but seen how you lead our team through the toughest time in our success dominated history. You led from the front, copped the undeserved put downs and accepted blame for losses that weren't your fault without punching anyone, I bet a few journo's who wrote what time public wanted instead of what rugby fans knew would have been top of your list to follow to the carpark. Good luck with your future, it will be a success. Looking forward to watching you play your 100th. Thanks for everything Sam.