Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd to join Northampton next season

ENGLISH Premiership club Northampton have named Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd as their new director of rugby on a three-year deal. So who will replace him at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium?

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd is leaving Wellington to work in England.

ENGLISH Premiership club Northampton have named New Zealander Chris Boyd as their new director of rugby on a three-year deal.

The 59-year-old, who will start work at Franklin’s Gardens in August, will replace interim boss Alan Gaffney, an Australian who has been in charge since Jim Mallinder was sacked in December.

Boyd has coached the Wellington-based Hurricanes since the 2015 campaign, guiding the New Zealand franchise to their first ever Super Rugby title the following year.

“I am humbled and excited to be joining Saints,” Boyd said in a statement on the club’s website.

“The club’s ambitions match my own,” he added.

“I am confident I can help the Saints become one of the biggest and best teams in Europe.”

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TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett of the Hurricanes celebrate the 2016 title win.

Boyd further explained his decision on the Hurricanes website.

“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.

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

Northampton chief executive Mark Darbon said Boyd stood out as the exceptional candidate for the club, who are currently third from bottom of the Premiership table.

“We said at the start of the process that we were looking for a world class director of rugby, and we’ve secured one of the very best,” he said.

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Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree is the hot favourite to replace Chris Boyd.

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Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said Boyd’s successor would be announced in due course, but current assistant John Plumtree looms as the obvious choice.

“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,” Lee said.

“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.”

Boyd’s record over three seasons stands at an impressive 42 wins from 53 matches.

Originally published as Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd to join Northampton next season