Joseph knows the value which Brown brings to any coaching staff having worked with the former All Blacks fly-half for most of his coaching career.
Brown, 49, was Joseph’s assistant at two Rugby World Cups with Japan – in 2019 and 2023 – and when the Highlanders were crowned Super Rugby champions in 2015.
Following the World Cup in France last year, Joseph returned to the Highlanders, where he was named the head of rugby on a four-year contract. Joseph had applied to be the head coach of the All Blacks, but had been beaten out by Scott Robertson.
Legendary Springboks Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers commended Erasmus earlier this week for appointing Brown to the backroom team, citing his reputation as an innovative thinker in particular.
Though Brown will undoubtedly benefit the Boks on the pitch, former All Blacks back-row Joseph thinks he will also give them a new perspective off the pitch.
“There are numerous instances of his inventiveness in the game and on the pitch, which makes him well-known,” Joseph said informed Stuff. “In Japan, The Highlanders…” The effect he has on the field is simple to quantify.
However, for me, it’s the off-field stuff. His own ideals align with those of rugby.
That’s what he looks for in his players—a commitment to hard effort, honesty, ethics, humour, and balance.
“He’s everything,” He enjoys drinking beer, playing golf, cricket, and all other sports, and he simply adores the squad. He is a fantastic sportsman.
He’s a great help in that regard for a head coach.
In order to join the Boks ahead of their two-Test series against Ireland in July, which will be followed by a match against Wales at Twickenham in June, Brown is scheduled to go to South Africa in March.
The Boks will also likely play their arch rivals, the All Blacks, in two Rugby Championship Tests in South Africa, in Johannesburg and Cape Town on August 31 and September 7 respectively.
Backing Brown to succeed with Boks
Joseph is certain that Brown would succeed in their coaching systems and fit right in with the world champions’ setup.
Joseph said, “He does it in a way that he doesn’t intrude on a culture.” “He can perform in any squad; he did it in Japan.
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