Brown has just returned from Argentina, where he took coaching sessions and programmes as part of an Otago Rugby Football Union initiative.
He has also been appointed as an assistant coach of the New Zealand under-20 side which will play in the World Junior Championship in Georgia next year.
Brown said the trip to Argentina was worthwhile and there was a lot of potential for the game in the country.
``They love their rugby over there and all the history and passion of it. They are really big and strong and love the physical side of the game,'' he said.
``It is very much a club-based game over there. Guys play for their clubs when they are young and that is where they stay. There doesn't seem to be a lot of input from the Argentinian union down into the clubs.
``Traditionally, it used to be seen as an elitist sport, just played by those with money. But that is changing as it becomes more popular.''
He went to cities such as Buenos Aires and Mendoza and tucked into the mandatory big steak meals.
The union initiative was to try to get players and clubs to grow links between Otago and Argentinian rugby and Brown said four teams were scheduled to come to Otago in 2018. About half a dozen individual players might also come to Otago the same year. The teams were looking at two-week trips for coaching and also play games here, while the individual players could stay for up to a year. The opportunity to study English at the University of Otago was also offered.
The connection could also go the other way, with a team from Taieri College planning a trip to Argentina and Chile next year.
Brown's first major role as assistant coach with the New Zealand under-20 side will be later this week when the top players for next year's team come together for a week-long camp in Palmerston North.
The side will be coached by Hawke's Bay coach Craig Philpott, assisted by Brown and Taranaki assistant coach Willie Rickards.
He had earlier been asked to do some resource coaching of halfbacks for the under-20 team but has now moved up to be the assistant coach in charge of defence.
``That is going to be something really exciting and what I'm looking forward to. Defence is something I've always had an interest in.''
He said the way Otago had performed over the last couple of seasons undoubtedly helped him get the assistant coaching job.
Brown had met Philpott and Rickards and they were excited about the talent coming through. After winning the junior championships in 2015, the New Zealand side failed to make the semifinals this year.
``Potentially, we could have Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane playing for us next year, so that could be a pretty exciting midfield.''
The tournament in Georgia was in June next year and should not have a huge effect on his role with Otago.
All up, he would be away for three weeks and there should be enough coaches and resources to look after the workload for Otago players, he said.
