Former NZ legend reveals what Tony Brown told him about working with Rassie

Former All Black scrumhalf Justin Marshall says he finds Tony Brown’s decision to leave the Springbok setup after the 2027 Rugby World Cup a strange one.

SA Rugby announced on Sunday that Brown had signed a deal with the All Blacks starting in 2028.

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The former New Zealand flyhalf has played a critical role in the Springboks’ coaching structure since 2024, where he has helped improve their attacking systems.

Speaking on the Good, the Bad & the Rugby podcast, Marshall said that Brown had told him personally just how much he liked working with head coach Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks.

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“That news to me is news because I know how much he enjoys what he's doing now,” Marshall said.

“And you know the thing that he actually said to me? It was how much he enjoyed coaching with Rassie. He said, like, ‘the guy just enables me to be myself’.

“So the fact that Brownie has kind of said he wants to do that when I know how happy he is, is news to me,” said Marshall.