Brown linked with Highlanders return

Sunwolves head coach Tony Brown is being tipped to return to the Highlanders following the news that assistant coach Glenn Delany will leave the franchise at the end of the season.

Glenn Delaney is set to join Welsh Pro14 side the Scarlets at the end of the season and has opened a vacancy in the Highlanders’ coaching set-up. According to a report in the Otago Daily Times, the Highlanders are interested in bringing back former head coach Tony Brown to fill the vacancy.

Brown's contract with the Japanese Rugby Union expires after the World Cup with the former Highlander currently holding roles as the Sunwolves head coach as well as the assistant coach role of Japan.

There are question marks as to what role, Brown would hold if he were to return to Forsyth Barr Stadium as Aaron Mauger still has one year left on his contract and Delany is currently the defence coach with Brown specialising with the attack.

A reshuffle in the coaching staff could occur while it could also see Mauger be demoted much like Tana Umaga was when Leon MacDonald joined the Blues coaching staff.