The Stormers will have to wait a for Kiwi fly-half Tony Brown after his club side made the final of the All-Japan Championships
Stormers forced to wait for fly-half after current side make final.
The Stormers will have to wait a bit longer for Kiwi fly-half Tony Brown to join them.
Brown's current Japanese club, the Sanyo Wild Knights, have made it through to the final of the All-Japan National Championships, delaying Brown's voyage to New Zealand to join the struggling South African Super 14 side.
The Wild Knights will play in the final of their domestic championship on Sunday 16 March. They beat Toyota Verblitz in a one point victory (25-24) in Osaka and will now go on to will face Suntory Sungoliath in the final.
Brown and Epi Taione are set to play Super 14 rugby this year for the Stormers and Sharks respectively. Both scored tries for the Wild Knights on Saturday, ensuring their season lasts one more week.
This means that the former All Black fly-half will only join the Stormers for their third match on tour, when they face the Blues in Auckland in two weeks' time.
Coaching
The experienced player-coach is looking forward to the opportunity to learn from Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus.
"One of the reasons why I am joining the Stormers is to learn from Rassie as a coach," he told
Die Burger.
"My role with the Stormers will be very similar to my role with the Sharks a few seasons ago. I want to help the team and assist the players with their performances where I can.
"I really enjoy working with younger players and want to give as much input as I possibly can."
Stormers' incumbent Peter Grant has come in for criticism after his side lost their opening three matches.
The Cape Town-based team's 34-16 win on the road against the Reds over the weekend went someway to redeeming him however.
Brown has a lot of praise for Grant and is looking forward to working with him.
"I've always held him in high regard and I think he is a good player. I'm looking forward to meeting him, to have a chat over a beer or two" said Brown.
