WELLINGTON – The old firm of Chris Boyd and John Plumtree will reunite in Super Rugby as the new Hurricanes coaching team.
But this time there’s a new pecking order.
Wellington provincial coach Boyd replaces Mark Hammett, who is in his fourth and final term as coach before taking up a head coach role at Cardiff.
Plumtree is Boyd’s assistant, reversing the role the pair had at the Durban-based Sharks in 2009 and 2010 when Plumtree held the top job. They also coached Wellington together in 2006.
The two-year appointment means Plumtree will step down from his role as Ireland forwards coach following their tour of Argentina this month.
He joined the Irish last September, helping compatriot and head coach Joe Schmidt guide them to the Six Nations Championship.
Plumtree, 48, says he enjoyed the challenges of international coaching but was immediately attracted to a prominent role in New Zealand.
“At the end of the day family must come first and we must do what we think is best for the Plumtree family.
“Coming from Taranaki, and after spending a lot of time in Wellington, I’ve always had a strong allegiance to the Hurricanes so to move to the club will be a nice homecoming.
“I’m extremely excited about reconnecting with Chris.”
Boyd, 56, says he relishes the challenges on and off the field that comes with the most senior appointment of his coaching career.
