Overview
- New Zealand Rugby announced on Sunday that Tony Brown has signed a two‑year contract to join the All Blacks beginning in the 2028 international season.
- Brown will remain part of the Springboks' coaching staff and is contracted to stay with South Africa through the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and he has said he will focus on those preparations.
- The appointment was led by incoming High Performance Director Don Tricker, who starts full‑time in November 2026, and All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie was engaged in the process and is supportive.
- Brown, 51, is credited with reshaping the Springboks' attack since 2024, including a dominant 2025 season and a 43‑10 win in Wellington over the All Blacks, heightening the narrative between the two teams.
- NZR says it will address the All Blacks head coach role beyond 2027 no later than after the 2027 Rugby Championship, meaning longer‑term leadership will be settled as Brown's arrival approaches.