Brown geared for Wallaby clash
August 7, 2001

Kiwi flyhalf Tony Brown on Tuesday proclaimed himself ready for what would be the biggest Test of his career, providing he gets selected.

The All Blacks face Australia in a Bledisloe Cup/Tri-Nations encounter at Carisbrook on Saturday, and Brown is hopeful of getting the nod in front of his home crowd. "If I get a start against Australia it would definitely be the biggest test for me and playing on my home ground would make it even bigger," he said.

His Test experience at Carisbrook has been limited to seven minutes against South Africa in 1999, but few players know the ground better. Part of the chorus in the past, Brown this year has been elevated to the main All Blacks cast and has impressed with his solid, unflinching play and accurate goal-kicking.

Now with 168 points from 17 tests, Brown has kept Andrew Mehrtens on the bench so far this season, in what is a fascinating rivalry and contrast of styles. "We're good friends off the field," Brown said. "I enjoy Mehrts' company. He's a hard case, never short of a word, and that makes it
easier."

The 26-year-old said the hamstring problem, which troubled him during the All Black camp last week, was improving all the time. "It's an ongoing thing. Two years ago I had chronic hamstring pain and halfway through the Super 12 this year it started playing up again. It's something you can play with - it's just a bit of a nuisance."

Brown rates recalled Wallaby flyhalf Stephen Larkham as the best in the world in his position. "He's a great runner and he's just got amazing skills. They'll definitely be better with him playing. It will be a big challenge for us to contain him," he said.

Brown hopes he will have control over the hype, despite the potential distractions of a Test in his hometown. "You have to make sure you prepare the best you can. Block it (the hype) out if you want to, use it to your advantage if you need to," he said.

For Brown, the Test against France in Wellington on June 30 was the biggest of his career, then it was the Tri-Nations opener against South Africa in Cape Town on July 22. Now, he may be on the verge of what would undoubtedly be his biggest challenge.

"We don't like losing and the public doesn't like the All Blacks losing," he said. "I guess playing Australia at the moment is the biggest test for New Zealand. They hold all the trophies and, if you're going to be the best, you've got to beat the best." - Sapa

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.