Highlanders coach Tony Brown will bring up a significant milestone when his side plays the Fijian Drua in Fiji today.
It will be his 100th game as part of the Highlanders coaching staff.
His energy is directed towards helping turn the team’s lacklustre season around.
But the impending century has put the former first five firmly in focus this week.
Brown has had stints in Japan and South Africa, but the Highlanders have always acted like a magnet, drawing him home.
He played 91 games for the franchise from 1996 to 2011. He also clocked 80 games for Otago and 18 for the All Blacks.
Brown has never been motivated by milestones, but he is very proud of his involvement with the Highlanders as a player and coach.
He was brought in as an assistant coach in 2014 under Jamie Joseph. They teamed up to deliver Super Rugby success for the franchise in 2015.
He left for the Sunwolves in 2018 but returned in 2020.
"Milestones don’t really mean too much.
"To me, it is trying to get us playing the rugby that we want to play and getting the results that we deserve," he responded when asked about the occasion.
It has been a tough season for the Highlanders. The team has had its share of success up front and in the set pieces, and that will be where the Highlanders look to attack the Fijian Drua today.
But some of the sparkling rugby associated the Highlanders’ brand has been absent.
The back three have not had the sort of impact Brown would have liked.
Some of that can be attributed to improved defence.
Brown has been part of Super Rugby since its inaugural season in 1996 and is well-placed to assess how the competition has changed during the years.
"There are small advantages you can achieve, but the players and the coaching have gone to another level since the start of Super Rugby.
"Every year it gets harder and harder to attack, and every year new things come up in rugby and the game, and that’s the challenge, and that’s what I love,"Brown said.
"It sort of hurts at the moment that we are not doing as well we should, or as well as we can.
"I know that the boys are trying their hearts out and I know that good things are
going to happen in the near future."
Highlanders captain Aaron Smith, who returns to the game-day squad of 23 this week, rates Brown highly.
"The way Brownie looks at the game ... the way he coaches around trying to get each player’s strengths out on the field has always been something I’ve loved.
"I’ve very much been a product of that and it gives me opportunities to be awesome, and that’s the sort of the language we use.
"I owe a lot to Brownie.
"He always keeps challenging me to be better every year, every session.
"He just sees the game differently which is something I really love.
"I love the balance he brings as a coach. He brings not just the accountability, but he can also have a laugh, have a joke and be a good Highlander man," Smith said.
"We’re very lucky to have a guy who cares so much about the club."
Highlanders winger Josh Timu, who was injured earlier in the season, has been named at centre in the University team to play Southern at Bathgate Park today.
Super Rugby Pacific
Suva, 4.35pm
Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (captain), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Billy
Harmon, Christian Lio-Willie, Sam Caird, Bryn Evans, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Ethan de Groot, Josh Hohneck, Max Hicks, James Lentjes, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Hugh Renton.
Fijian Drua: Kitione Taliga, Selestino Ravutaumada, Apisalome Vota, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Habosi, Teti Tela, Frank Lomani, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi (captain), Ratu Rotuisolia, Viliame Rarasea, Manasa Saulo, Mesulame Dolokoto, Haereiti Hetet. Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Meli Tuni, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Simione Kuruvoli, Onisi Ratave, Kitione Ratu.
