Brian has made a significant contribution to the sport of rugby as a player, coach, and administrator at both a national and international level. He and went on to play 25 tests for New Zealand; 18 as Captain, with just three losses, and scored 21 points.

He grew up in the Wairarapa with aspirations to be a jockey, however, this was not to be and instead, he played tennis and achieved a high ranking at National level before becoming an All Black.  He made his rugby debut as an 18 yr old flanker and was later selected for the 1963-64 British tour where he played in the English and Scottish Internationals.

Sports writer Terry McLean remarked upon Brian’s 'dignity' as a leader and wrote: "His physical fitness was inexhaustible, his anticipation was hawk-like, his resolution was impenetrable.  Add this to his catching at the lineout, his total engagement in the tight-loose, his serviceability on defence and you have the picture of a great back-row forward.  New Zealand has fielded none better that's for sure"

Sir Brian became Coach of the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Team in 1980, was appointed an All Black Selector in 1983, and was the All Black Coach from 1985 to 1987. As Coach, he led the team to win the inaugural World Cup in 1987.

He has also held a variety of overseas and New Zealand coaching assignments, including coaching the Overseas Unions at the international Rugby Board Centenary in 1986.  He was appointed the All Black Campaign Manager for the 1995 World Cup, assisted with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union’s player negotiations following the establishment of the game as professional and led the Committee to improve the National Provincials Championship Competition. 

He was Chairman of the New Zealand Sports Foundation’s High Performance Committee from 1998 to 1999.  He was also appointed a Trustee of the Halberg Trust in 1992 and was a Member of the Hillary Commission becoming Chairman in 1999. He was honoured with an OBE in 1970 and he was knighted in 1999.   

He has also been involved in other sports. He was a Wairarapa Tennis Representative and competitor at the annual New Zealand Masters Games and also a National Selector for netball.  He was awarded the SPARC Leadership Award in 2005 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to New Zealand sport, not only as a player, but also for his roles in coaching and sports administration.   He retired from the All Black Management Team at the end of 2007.

Sir Brian has been active in many farming organisations, including the Meat and Wool Boards Electoral Committee, the Manawatu-Wairarapa Stud Breeders Association, and the New Zealand Romney Association. He was Chairman of the Wairarapa College Board of Trustees, Commissioner of Kuranui College, and Member of the Wairarapa Sports Foundation and the Tararua Foundation.