Anton Lienert-Brown: I feel my journey in Japan was a turning point in my rugby career
Lienert-Brown has featured four times for the All Blacks on their 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour'
©Japan Rugby League One
It is shaping up to be a summer to remember for All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown - and perhaps also for Dave Rennie.
Back in June, Rennie guided Kobe Steelers to their first League One title in Japan, beating former champions Kubota Spears 22-13 in the final.
Lienert-Brown, 31, made 18 appearances for Kobe under Rennie and has since gone on to win six caps for the All Blacks since the former Australia coach took charge of New Zealand.
Last Saturday, the Chiefs midfielder came off the bench as the All Blacks produced an outstanding 33-16 victory over South Africa, giving the tourists a 1-0 lead in 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series.
As Lienert-Brown and New Zealand turn their attention towards Cape Town and the second Test against the Springboks, his seven-month spell in Japan remains a proud chapter in his career.
"I wanted a change," he said on Kobe’s club website. "Putting myself in a new environment made me love the sport of rugby again.
"I felt I needed a change, so I decided to play for Kobe. I'm happy that I was able to achieve the best possible result in a change I was looking for, and I feel that this journey has been a turning point in my rugby career.
"It [winning the League One title] was such a meaningful season, and I've grown to love Japan and the city of Kobe."
The Christchurch native had high expectations for the star-studded League One competition and, after leaving with a winner's medal to return home to chase World Cup glory next year, he regards the competition as one of the sport’s top leagues.
"I already knew that League One was a fantastic tournament, but seeing the world's top coaches and players competing in League One really made me appreciate the high quality and competitiveness.
"It's a really tough tournament for the players, and the matches are exciting to watch. I think it's one of the world's leading leagues. I'm truly overjoyed and filled with a great sense of accomplishment."
Alongside fellow All Blacks Ardie Savea - the New Zealand captain who once again underlined his quality in last Saturday's win over the Springboks - and MVP Brodie Retallick, Lienert-Brown played a key role in helping Kobe secure their first title since 2018.
It was a season in which Rennie and his players created a new slice of history, and Lienert-Brown has little doubt about the influence of his All Blacks coach.
"When I was younger, I was able to grow under his guidance. Lenz (Dave Rennie) is a wonderful person and an excellent coach. That's why I think the team was able to achieve these results."
Rennie's results against South Africa also stand out.
Saturday's victory in Johannesburg was his fourth win in five Tests as head coach against the Springboks, with New Zealand's intensity and composure leaving Ellis Park shell-shocked.
Will Jordan scored two of the All Blacks' five tries, and Lienert-Brown wasn't afraid to draw a comparison with one of his former Kobe teammates - Japan full-back Shunsuke Uenob, who was named League One Rookie of the Year.
"(Lee) Seung-sin [Japan's fly-half] is a top-level talent along with Shunsuke.
"Shunsuke reminds me of Will Jordan! I had the feeling that an incredibly talented player had appeared.
"The day before his debut match against Shizuoka Blue Revs in the seventh round, he asked me in the bath at the clubhouse what kind of mindset he should have going into the game.
"I advised him to 'just play with all your might,' and he scored a hat-trick! He's a player who's truly a bundle of talent.
"Besides Lee and Shunsuke, there are many other young players with high potential on the team, so I'm looking forward to their future growth and I'd like to play against them in a Test match someday."
Lienert-Brown, whose former team will be led by World Cup-winning All Black Andy Ellis next season, reflected on his seven-month stay in Japan and is optimistic about returning to the Japanese side in the future.
"If someone asked me to spend the rest of my life in Kobe, I would say without hesitation that I would because it's a truly wonderful city.
"Looking around the world, I don't think you'll find many people as kind as the Japanese. The team is also in the best possible environment. I feel sad that I have had to say goodbye to my teammates and the people I've connected with in Kobe.
"I definitely want to come back to this team someday. I'm really looking forward to that day."
After coming off the bench in Tuesday's collectively clunky 41-35 victory over the Lions, Lienert-Brown is among the replacements once again for Saturday's second Test against South Africa.
Rennie has made three changes to the starting XV, with George Bower coming in for Ethan de Groot, who is still undergoing HIA protocols, together with lock Josh Lord.
Tupou Vaa’i moves to the second row, replacing Lord, with Simon Parker coming in at six.
There is one change in the backs, with Leroy Carter replacing Josh Moorby, who drops to the bench as outside-back cover in the 23 jersey.
Xavier Numia provides additional cover at prop, while Patrick Tuipulotu is named as the lock replacement.
New Zealand: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax; 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Tupou Vaa’i; 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea (Captain); 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love; 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaeam, 14. Will Jordan; 15. Damian McKenzie.
Replacements: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Josh Moorby.
