Olo Brown

Of all the All Blacks who played through the 1990s, none had a lower profile than the rock solid tighthead prop Olo Brown. Firstly, under the coaching of Laurie Mains in 1992-95, and then of John Hart in the years between 1996 and 1998, he was invariably an automatic selection.

He was the cornerstone of the pack with his technique and straightness of back and was rated by scrummaging experts as one of the finest props to play for New Zealand at any time. His provincial and test teammate, Sean Fitzpatrick, swore by his prowess and few scrums anchored by Brown were ever bettered.

Around the field, too, he was a competent player capable of also playing at hooker. He also had above-average intelligence, having had a fine academic record at Auckland’s Mt Albert Grammar, and even when the game had become professional, continued with a “real” job as a chartered accountant.

Yet despite being highly articulate, the lack of public profile was all Brown’s doing. He was even more reluctant to provide media interviews than his fellow Ponsonby club member, and All Black predecessor, Joe Stanley. The few times Brown was interviewed only came from pressure being applied on him by All Black management.

But Brown’s deeds on the field certainly spoke loudly, though recognition of his ability at national level did come slowly. Even though being singled out by Auckland scouts as a rare prospect, Brown was overlooked for the 1988 New Zealand Colts side.

By 1989, though, he had become a regular Auckland selection, ousting Peter Fatialofa, another Ponsonby man, as a first choice. From then on, Brown formed with Fitzpatrick and firstly Steve McDowell, and then Craig Dowd, a magnificent front row that provided yeoman service for both Auckland and the All Blacks.

Brown’s first match for the All Blacks was in 1990 when, because of injuries, he was summoned from a development tour of Canada to appear in a midweek match in France. But he had to wait until 1992 for his test cap when Mains brought him in for the second test against Ireland.

For the next six years the only break in Brown’s test sequence came at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa when he was rested for the romp against Japan. He achieved many distinctions, including the historic series win in South Africa in 1996 and as a mainstay of the Blues sides in the first three seasons of the Super 12.

In 1998 Brown’s long test career came to a sudden halt. He injured his neck and back in the tri-nations test in South Africa and was forced out of the season’s finale against Australia, being replaced by Kees Meeuws. Ironically, the afternoon he was forced to withdraw from the test against the Wallabies coincided with one of his few media conferences. Brown, a forlorn figure as he sat on the grass at Auckland’s University club, could not avoid the many journalists who had been at the training to learn first hand of his misfortune.

Brown never formally retired. But he never recovered from what had proven to be a grievous injury and was never seen again in action at any level. Brown had the distinction of becoming the first All Black prop to reach 50 tests and at the time of his premature departure from the game had 56 caps.

How much he was missed was underlined the following year at the World Cup when the All Blacks lack of experience and hardness up front were exposed.