Can Tony Brown Rejuvenate the Highlanders?

It's time I went out to bat for the Highlanders.

Yes, their blatant attempt to hype up the appointment of Tony Brown as backs coach at the Highlanders for 2014 as the Highlanders' big new signing today was a marketing faux pas of epic proportions - and had it been broadcast on TV or radio, would be deemed false advertising and a breach worthy of a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

But, it is a good appointment for the Highlanders who this year struggled for structure in the backs - a lot of their play was unimaginative and failed to make any penetration and only because of Ben Smith's form were the Highlanders respectable.

Tony Brown, as a coach, has shown that he can make the best of the resources he has - Otago's rugby stocks are definitely nowhere as strong as they were but there is some potential in the region, and Tony Brown has done a superb job getting the best out of some no-names, e.g. Tony Ensor, Michael Collins and Kieran Moffat.

Tony Brown helped guide Otago to Ranfurly Shield glory in thrilling fashion

Now Brown has the chance to show that his motivational skills can work at a higher level with a better pool of players and I think he can succeed and return the Highlanders to the dangerous, exciting side they were prior to this season. Thankfully, Ben Smith is still around and with Winston Stanley, Jason Emery and possibly the promising Malakai Fekitoa, the Highlanders could score some sexy tries again.  

And then there's the forwards - an area which probably improved more than people gave credit for. Adam Thomson's departure was badly missed but the Highlanders have hired the likes of Tasman's in-form flanker, Shane Christie, Gareth Evans and Hugh Blake in a bid to find a replacement player in that mould. The lineouts were a big issue last season and that will be something that has to be addressed in the pre-season - but they can be addressed.

Jamie Mackintosh and Andrew Hore will be missed

Props could be a huge question mark - with Jamie Mackintosh and Tony Woodcock now gone, there is a lack of experience at loosehead prop but the Highlanders have always been a good side when it comes to developing props and this could be the chance for Bronson Murray to finally shine.

So folks, it's not all doom and gloom down South - after all it was 26'C here in Dunedin, much warmer than most of the country bar Christchurch. The season may not be that bad for the Highlanders after all!