Tony Brown will coach the Highlanders in 2017, before heading to Japan in 2018.

He will take over the top job in 2017, but move overseas in 2018, linking up with the Highlanders’ current coach Jamie Joseph, who is off to coach the Japanese national team.

Current Sunwolves coach Mark Hammett will join the franchise as one of Brown’s assistants, with his fellow current assistant Scott McLeod staying on.

The pair has been given contracts through to the end of the 2019 season.

Meanwhile, Tony Brown will coach the Highlanders for only one season.

Source: stuff.co.nz