Brown has drafted former All Black hooker Andrew Hore off his Paerau farm to the Otago squad to play in the Mitre 10 Cup championship final on Friday night to cover for an injured Sam Anderson-Heather.
Brown said he was keen to play skipper Liam Coltman, who had been part of the All Black set-up since the start of the Rugby Championship in August without getting a minute of playing time.
Coltman had fronted for Otago in two games in that time.
Brown was knocked back by All Black management, who would not let Coltman play in the final.
''It is disappointing and I find it hard to understand. Liam asked to play. I rang everyone in the All Blacks on Sunday about it but they wouldn't allow it,'' he said.
''They cited a risk of injury and needing three full days' recovery time in Chicago. But Liam could have played the game here and been on a plane the next morning.
''Liam has hardly played at all and would have loved to play the game for Otago.
''And I know Liam. He is the sort of guy who would have done everything right, to play the game and then get on the plane in the right condition the next day.''
Brown questioned whether Coltman would even be in the match-day squad against Ireland in Chicago.
He believed Coltman was not released because it would set a precedent for other teams to call on players for this weekend's two Mitre 10 Cup finals.
The All Blacks are leaving for Chicago on Friday morning.
Brown talked to All Black forwards coach Mike Cron and manager Darren Shand but got no reply from coach Steve Hansen.
With Coltman's absence, the Otago hooking cupboard was bare and Brown called on Hore.
Hore, who last played first-class rugby in a one-game stint off the bench for Southland in 2014, after retiring from the All Blacks, trained with the squad yesterday.
The last time Hore played for Otago, Helen Clark was in her first term as prime minister and Justin Bieber had just started school.
That was in 2000, and Hore left the next year to play for Taranaki. He played 83 tests for the All Blacks, the last in 2013.
Brown said Hore (38) was keen to help, and he had no worries about his fitness.
''We all know how he plays the game and he has a huge ticker.''
Hore was still playing for the Maniototo club side, coaching it this year.
Anderson-Heather, who has captained the Otago side this year, has a calf injury. He has until Friday morning to prove his fitness but it is looking doubtful.
Sekonaia Pole will start the game in what will be his blazer - 15th - game for the province.
