Latest news with #TonyBrown
The South African
a day ago
- Sport
- The South African
Three things Springboks must achieve in Rugby Championship
The Springboks will soon kick off their Rugby Championship campaign when they meet the Wallabies in Johannesburg on Saturday 16 August, and again a week later in Cape Town on 23 August. From there they will face their arch-rivals at Eden Park in Auckland on 6 September, and the Sky Stadium in Wellington on 13 September respectively, before wrapping up their campaign against Argentina in Durban on Saturday 27 September, and in London on 4 October. There are a host of things that the Springboks will want to achieve in the tournament, but we believe these are three top priorities. Refine attacking evolution Since winning the 2023 World Cup, one of the clearest focal points for the Springboks has been their desire to improve their attacking game since adding former All Blacks playmaker Tony Brown to their coaching staff. There has been a big shift in the way the Springboks are attacking with numerous set plays, and nuances to player decoys and running lines, but at times it hasn't all come together perfectly. It simply remains a work-in-progress, but the Springboks will really want to ensure they take some more significant steps forward in this area of their game evolution. Balance winning and game evolution with the world rankings in mind The Springboks' lead at the top of the world rankings has shrunk to just 0.72 points after the All Blacks claimed a 3-0 win over the All Blacks in their July Tests. Normally, only passing attention is paid to the rankings by coaches and players, but there is some serious incentive this year to ensure the Springboks remain in prime position. The reason for this is that the draw for the expanded 24-team 2027 World Cup is set to take place in December, and so the rankings then will be used to determine the top seeds for the various. To try and avoid any potential 'group of death', and to hopefully secure the most favourable draw, the Springboks will be determined to remain at the top of the pile. Gain clarity on halfbacks There is no doubt that the Springboks boast some remarkable player depth, but particularly when it comes to the 9-10 combination there has so much chopping and changing with selection that it's still hard to know who is the unequivocal first choice. As it stands, Handre Pollard and Grant Williams are probably at the top of the pecking order at flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively, but the Springboks will need to settle on exactly where the likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach and Morne van den Berg stand. Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Unsafe play equipment removed from Castletown park
Play equipment deemed "unsafe and unacceptable" by a local authority in the south of the Isle of Man has been removed from a Commissioners have taken down the damaged swings from the children's play area in Poulsom Park in the a statement the board, which was elected in April, said it had inherited a "frustrating situation" where some of the equipment had been allowed to deteriorate in recent chairman Tony Brown said he understood the disappointment that would be felt by many children and their families but "their safety was paramount". The authority said new swings have been ordered so children could "continue to safely enjoy playing" in the space in of the board said they believed rusting and other issues were due to "wear and tear" and said it should have been dealt with previously. The commissioners also separately confirmed another children's play area at the Bowling Green in the town would not be reopening over the summer.A £50,000 revamp of the site had not progressed as planned, the authority said: "We can't have equipment that they may injure themselves on because it is deficient.""We're not dismantling children's play areas, we see the provision of play equipment for children as being very important, because it's needed for learning skills and having fun," he board were taking actions to resolve the issues in both parks "as soon as possible", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Views gathered on future Market Square vehicle ban
People are being encouraged to share their views on the future pedestrianisation of a town square after a bid to ban vehicles during winter previously divided opinion.A consultation, which will run until 26 August, has been launched by Castletown Commissioners on its future policy on banning vehicles in Market new local authority board said it planned to keep the summer closure but reverse previous plans to extended that to winter, instead only shutting the space for community consultation also includes plans to shorten the period of time the square is shut under the summer closure. Under the proposals, the summer closure would begin from the first Saturday in May instead of the current 1 reinstatement of parking would also be brought forward to the first Monday in September from the end of that month. However, the space is proposed to be closed during the Easter weekend each year. The local authority said it planned to put movable barriers in place to enforce the existing vehicle ban on Arbory Street and Malew local authority is also proposing to provide general disc parking within Barracks Square, including disabled parking and delivery bays for services to businesses and properties within pedestrianised of Castletown Commissioners Tony Brown said the board "believes it is important to consult with the town regarding major proposals such as this that will have an impact on residents and businesses".The process will run alongside another wider consultation on parking in the local authority said it would consider feedback and publish its final proposals before implementing the changes, which were hoped to be put in place in of the proposals have been made available at Castletown Town Hall and online. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Attack-happy Springboks will never abandon their physicality and set-piece dominance, promises Handre Pollard
Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown has been credited with transforming the team's attack SPRINGBOK assistant coach Tony Brown has transformed the World Champions game-approach although there are assurances of physicality not being lost. | AFP 'We are not talking about massive, crazy changes on attack, just minor adjustments here and there.' 'That is who we are as a team, and we will never shy away from that. Our set-piece dominance will always be key to every game we play, but if we can sprinkle a little something on our attack to take us to the next level, that is the goal. 'The core of our game will always be our physicality and being direct,' the veteran flyhalf said. Pollard has reassuring words for Bok purists who fear the World Cup-winners might get carried away with cavalier attack and forget their roots. The sharpened Springbok attack is attacking headlines, but flyhalf general Handre Pollard says the Boks will never deviate from their core DNA of physicality and set-piece dominance. The main key to adding attacking arrows to the Springbok quiver is New Zealander Tony Brown, and Pollard cannot speak highly enough of the former All Black flyhalf. Brown is in his second year with the Boks and is adding fresh nuances to their game. 'With Browny, every week is a next step,' Pollard said. 'He is such an 'involving' coach. He is always looking for something extra. It is refreshing working with him, and it is fun at the same time. 'We have not yet unlocked all our potential on attack. This team has a lot more in it. But it will take time. The more we play together, the more it will come together. We have unbelievable players, so the more time and space we can create for the boys outside, the more dangerous we will be.' A renewed focus on attack is a global phenomenon, and the British and Irish Lions are a case in point — they have played exhilarating rugby in their first two tour games in Australia. 'For a few years now, defences have been overpowering attacks a little bit,' Pollard explained. 'The backs have to get creative on attack, and they are. With the Boks, it is evident that we are enjoying attacking a lot more. We are scoring a lot more points and making it tougher for defences. 'We are enjoying the focus on attacking rugby,' the 31-year-old said. 'Each team has its own way of doing it. We trust a system that we think is the best for us. It is a good thing, and I am sure the spectators enjoy it as well.' But Pollard has a caveat to the focus on adventurous rugby. "Defences are still the key to winning World Cups and competitions. It will be a core fundamental of any winning team, as will a good kicking game, but I just think there was room for improvement with us on attack over these last few years. 'The New Zealand teams unlocked it years ago, and we were trusting our defence and kicking game more at that time, but we understand that there is another layer to us that we can unlock, and that is our attack.' This week in Pretoria, fast dry conditions are expected after the wet of the Barbarians game. This presents an opportunity for the Boks to kick on. 'After the rain, we can take it to another level this week,' Pollard agreed. 'That is the plan, but listen, Italy are a good team. We are not going to underestimate anything they bring to the party. They are physical and passionate. We have to put in the hard yards before we put in the pretty stuff on the edges. 'So it will be a tough start to the game, that is for sure, but we are ready for that, and we will see what happens from there.'
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
De Allende says Brown has taught old Springboks new tricks
'A lot of us old guys, we have learnt a lot over the past year through Tony. So it is incredible to see the development of the forwards especially.' Springbok attack coach Tony Brown has been said to have done much for the national side's attack play outside of set-pieces. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Springbok centre Damian de Allende has sung the praises of attack coach Tony Brown, who he said has enhanced the national side's attacking game since joining the Bok setup at the beginning of 2024. De Allende said Brown, a former New Zealand flyhalf who played most of his provincial rugby for the Highlanders, has taught old dogs new tricks, especially outside of set-piece play. 'Rugby is changing' 'Not just for myself but for us as a whole group, and us as a rugby-playing country, it was massively important to get someone like Tony Brown in,' the Springbok veteran said. 'To test our skills and to teach us new skills. To teach us how to move the ball before contact and where to move the ball. 'Rugby is changing, the rules are changing. You can see it already. In some of the competitions, the refs don't want to give penalties anymore at scrum time. So I think they are trying to make the game more dynamic. 'We have to improve and develop our game [because] even if we get dominance at scrum time, we might not get the penalty. So we might have to just be ready to be able to play rugby like Tony Brown wants us to play.' Tony Brown takes Springboks from strength to strength De Allende, at 33 and with 87 Test caps under his belt, said even players as experienced as him had learned much under the former All Black. 'And we are on the right path. That is the most important thing. A lot of us old guys, we have learnt a lot over the past year through Tony. So it is incredible to see the development of the forwards especially, with their skills. 'I think this year we will go from strength to strength but by next year and the year after going into the [2027] World Cup I think it is going to be a very exciting time for South African rugby with the development around the players around Tony Brown.' The Boks kicked off their 2025 season with a big win against the invitational Barbarians in Cape Town last weekend and this week face Italy in the first of two Tests in Pretoria. They also face Georgia in a one-off Test before turning their attention to the Rugby Championship, where they are the defending champions.
