Highlanders bring in Brown to shape up attack

NEWS: The Highlanders have announced a new addition to the 2025 coaching team.

Cory Brown has accepted a two-year contract as the attack coach and will begin the role almost immediately.

Brown is the brother of former Highlanders’ Head Coach and longtime Jamie Joseph coaching partner, Tony Brown.

He was with the Highlanders during the 2017/2018 season before getting involved with Japanese Rugby, initially as the assistant coach of the Super Rugby expansion team, the Sunwolves, and then as head coach of Japanese League team, Sannix, between 2018-2021.

Following his time in Japan he took up a position as the attack coach for the Black Lions in Georgia who were crowned Europe Super Cup champions in 2021/22. He then moved on to the Georgian national side as assistant coach and helped guide them to the Rugby Europe International Championship in 2022, notably that year they had wins over tier-one nations Wales and Italy.

He finished his time with Georgia at last year's Rugby World Cup in France.

His last coaching role was earlier this year as the Head Coach of the NOLA Gold Rugby team, based in New Orleans and playing in the American Major League Rugby (MLR) competition where they reached the play-offs.

On Brown’s appointment head coach, Jamie Joseph commented.

“We are delighted to have Cory join us for next season, he is now a very experienced coach at the professional level and of course he has a very close connection with the club and region.

"His prior knowledge of Otago and Highlanders rugby will mean he will fit seamlessly into our coaching group, it’s great to welcome him back to the club”

Brown will be tasked with ensuring the Highlanders have an attack that can break down the best defences in Super Rugby and he is looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m thrilled to be coming home and rejoining the Highlanders, it’s a fantastic opportunity to work alongside Jamie and bring his vision for the team to life. I can’t wait to get started and begin contributing to the Highlander success”.

Brown will replace Kenny Lynn who took up a role with the Argentinian National side who will take on the All Blacks in a two test series in the next few weeks.