Rugby: Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd signs deal with Northampton Saints

Head Coach Chris Boyd of the Hurricanes. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung / Photosport.co.nz

It seems the Hurricanes won't have to look far to replace coach Chris Boyd after it was announced he will be leaving the Super Rugby franchise at the end of the upcoming season.

Boyd, the most successful coach in the franchise's history, has been appointed the new director of rugby at the Northampton Saints.

Boyd, who coached the Hurricanes their maiden Super Rugby title in 2016, has signed a three-year deal with the English club, it was announced on the Saints official website.

Hurricanes forwards coach John Plumtree is being tipped to take replace Boyd as the head coach, with Hurricanes Chief Executive Avan Lee telling the Radio Sport Breakfast that the former Sharks coach would be a fantastic candidate.

"John's a very key member of our coaching group. He came to the Hurricanes with Chris Boyd and they always had a plan that Chris would move on at some stage and John would take over. And that plan has always been part of what we wanted. We now need to formalise what the next step is," Lee said.

"There's no guarantee that John will be the next head coach but we're very keen for him to stay at the Hurricanes.

In terms of success and transition he's a fantastic candidate for that position but up until Friday last week it wasn't confirmed that Chris was leaving. We haven't opened that conversion with anybody and John will clearly be one of the people that we will be talking to."

Boyd said leaving Wellington was a tough call to make.

"I'm passionate about the Hurricanes and making the call not to carry on was a tough one, but the opportunity at Northampton presented an exciting new challenge that was too good to pass up," Boyd said.

"With my coaching future now decided I can fully focus on the 2018 season and making sure my final year is a memorable one."

Boyd said he is looking forward to the move.

"I am humbled and excited to be joining Saints," Boyd said. "Northampton Saints is a Club I have admired all of my coaching career.

"I visited Franklin's Gardens for a week in 2004 when Wayne Smith was head coach, and remember the passion of the Saints supporters and the strong culture at the Club.

"The Club's ambitions match my own – I am confident I can help the Saints become one of the biggest and best teams in Europe.

"I have always aspired to coach in the Aviva Premiership and I am relishing the opportunity to work with this talented squad of players."

The 59-year-old has been head coach of the Hurricanes since 2015 and was previously
in charge of the New Zealand Under-20s.

In three seasons in charge of the Hurricanes, the side have a 43-11 record and have reached the playoffs each time, including two trips to the final.

Lee said Boyd's successor would be announced in due course.

"I think the main thing right now is that with Boydy's plans for 2019 confirmed everybody's collective focus will be solely on 2018 and giving the Hurricanes the best possible chance at another title," he said.

Lee said Boyd's place in Hurricanes folklore was assured after he led the club to its first Super Rugby title in 2016.

"Boydy's done a great job and we are sad to see him go, but we understand Northampton is a great opportunity for him and we'll be wishing him all the best when he heads away."

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