Hosting two sold-out playoff games would have provided a much-needed financial boost for a franchise that needed new ways to balance the books after the commercial disappointment of this year's Wellington Sevens.
Some of that money must be thrown at young first-five Otere Black who could be a vital cog in the wheel next season if Beauden Barrett chooses to play sevens at the Rio Olympics.
It's understood that all five New Zealand franchises have put the feelers out for Black, who is only 20, but that's the value of having a good No 10 and Black has shown all the makings of developing in to a quality player.
The midfield needs work given veterans Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are moving offshore, while reliable backup Rey Lee-Lo will also depart for Europe.
Pita Ahki is set to make a move from the Blues to the Hurricanes, while Boyd appears to have confirmed the signatures of some other cattle but those names haven't been confirmed.
Boyd should announce those players in due course and the coach, who has been forced to endure his share of disappointment in big matches during the past few years, will put his feet up shortly.
Last night's game followed a disappointing loss in the ITM Cup final with Wellington in 2013 - they also finished that campaign as the top qualifier before being tipped over by Canterbury - while his New Zealand Under-20s side lost to South Africa in the semifinals of the junior World Cup last year.
"I haven't had a holiday for two years, so I'll take a holiday," Boyd said.
As for last night's final, a game where the Hurricanes had their chances, Boyd might look back with a degree of frustration.
"It's a massive waste of an opportunity," Boyd said after the match. "We've played pretty reasonable football for most of the year and just probably didn't get the game going that we wanted to; [we] made too many mistakes and didn't respect the ball."
The Hurricanes will return next season with more playoff experience and valuable tools to construct a run back to the post-season.
