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The Bok No10 who inspired Tony Brown and 'took over New Zealand rugby'
By Josh Raisey
Former All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown has come into the South Africa set-up this year and implemented a stylistic shift for the world champions that is not usually associated with the Springboks, rather the All Blacks.
The attacking verve that the Rassie Erasmus' side have shown so far in the Rugby Championship is not what has been the foundation of the Springboks' back-to-back World Cup triumphs.
But while the former Highlanders coach has been credited with bringing his philosophy that has usually been associated with New Zealand rugby, it was in fact inspired by a South African. At least the way he approached the game as a player was.
Brown joined former Springboks Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh on the Behind the Ruck podcast recently, where he said that former Bok Henry Honibal "was my favourite player."
The former All Black went on to explain how the 35-cap Springbok, alongside a cohort of Australian players, changed the way that teams attack which in turn "took over New Zealand rugby."
This influenced Brown as a player and subsequently as a coach, as he confessed on the podcast that he knew he would "be a better coach than I was a player".
"There are a few rugby players who probably influenced how I played and how I tried to get the Highlanders and Otago to play when I was a player," Brown said.
"Henry Honibal was my favourite player. He attacked the line really well. Everything that he did was right on top of the defence, on the gainline.
"No one really played like that in New Zealand. It was a more traditional first-five, stand a bit deeper, and give yourself more time and space and just move the ball to the wings and give them the opportunities.
"So I tried to create a different style for myself because I wasn't as quick as everyone else, so I tried to flatten up a lot and stay close to the gainline and create the space for the wingers rather than just give the ball to the wingers. That was something I always admired about Henry Honibal's play.
"Also, around about that time, Australians started to get a lot flatter as well. I think the Brumbies led the way there with George Gregan, David Knox and Rod Kafer, they were always really flat to the gainline and it became the way I tried to play and eventually, it took over New Zealand rugby as well. Everyone had to be flatter and more physical and the No10s had to become a lot more dominant physically on both sides of the ball, in attack and defence.
"As I went through my rugby career, not overly talented, but understood the game really well and tried to find different ways to play the game and I always knew that I'd be a better coach than I was a player. Because if I can get some players with a bit more talent than me to understand the game and play the game a certain way, I think was always why I thought I'd be a better coach."
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Latest Comments
Well I didnt see Aus bossing the Wales team around in the forwards let alone SA or Arg. Ill bet NZ dominates the scrums.
Go to commentsOkay, fair points in here. Agree Razor isn't transparent. How quickly the climate changes from one regime to another. I'm sorry but when I refer to "human values" I'm alluding to Razor prancing around like a peacock at the 2023 RWC, knowing he had had the job but going there to smirk while Fozz went about his business. What need was there of that when Razor had already got the nod?
Besides, that's why caring employers don't put their employees through that spin-dry cycle following redundancy, although Fozz would have relished the opportunity to ride the waves to redemption. He had come within a whisker. I'm guessing Fozz's contract wouldn't have allowed him to terminate employment, glory of RWC aside. Now, I'm not saying fora second that Fozz was a fine head coach because he had erred like Razor is with selections across the board.
The captaincy debacle is just that, so agree with that. More significantly for me, Barrett has the unenviable record of collecting two red cards in test rugger — the most anyone has. His 2nd test against the Boks was questionable, considering the lock hadn't carried the ball until after the 60th minute. In both Boks affairs, he was hardly visible as a leader.
DMac is a Hobson's choice. You can have a "unique" kicking game but if the others are not on the same page, is it worth anything? Player, selection, and/or head coaching issue? For me it's all 3. I've not religiously watched Super Rugby Pacific matches but I did see how the Fijian Drua had homed in on DMac at The Tron. He was rattled and even started complaining to the ref. That's where we part ways with "aggression". All pooches are ferocious behind their owner's fenced property. DMac enjoys that when he has the comfort of protection from the engine room. The pooch is only tested when it wanders outside the confines of the yard on to the street to face other mongrels. Boks were going to be the litmus test, although no home fan saw the Pumas coming. At best, a bench-minutes player.
Leon MacDonald. Well, besides debating the merits of his prowess as "attacking guru", it doesn't override one simple fact — Razor chose his stable of support coaches. Its starts and ends there. If MacD didn't slot into the equation, Razor is accountable.
Why appoint a specialist when you're not going to listen to him, especially if you have an engine-room background? Having fired him, Razor looks even more clueless now than ever with his backline, never mind attacking. Which raises the pertinent question? Which of his other favoured coaches have assumed the mantle of backline/attacking coach? (Hansen/Ellison?) If so, why is Razor not dangling them over burning coals?
"His [MacD's] way might be great for some team, maybe in another country, and with the right people." Intriguing because he has led his team in his own country's premier competition to victory against a number of franchise players who are in the ABs squad that had failed to make the cut after a rash of losses and Razor's "home". You see, it's such anomalies that make the prudent question the process. All it does is make Razor look just like another member of the old boys' network. Appreciate the engagement.
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