Hurricanes unsung hero Chris Boyd to stay for two more years

Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd will remain with the franchise for another two seasons. Photo / Getty

Two years ago, the Hurricanes confirmed the signing of new head coach Chris Boyd.

The fans were outraged.

The Wellington Lions had just been relegated to the provincial second division, and the coach, Chris Boyd, who had led them through that horror season was to be the new head coach of the Wellington-based Super Rugby franchise.

Then, almost like Leicester City in the Premier League, the Hurricanes had a chance to complete a fairytale.

They went from missing the playoffs in 2014, to hosting the final against the Highlanders a year later in Boyd's first season at the helm.

Unfortunately, that story wasn't meant to be.

But a year later, Boyd and his franchise did what no one thought possible two years ago; they brought home the Hurricanes first ever Super Rugby title.

This after losing some of the club's biggest names; Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu to name a few.

Now, Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee has confirmed that Boyd will stay on for another two years.

Speaking to Tony Veitch on Newstalk ZB, Lee said Boyd's impact at the franchise was second to none throughout the entire competition.

"He is an unsung hero," Lee said. "He's just an outstanding rugby coach."

"People talk about all these amazing international rugby coaches around the world, but Chris Boyd, I have so much respect for him as a guy and as a coach."

Boyd must now surely be in contention for the All Blacks coaching position which will become vacant when Steve Hansen leaves after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree agreed saying Boyd has been a perfect coach considering the franchise's troubled past few seasons.

"The players really got behind him," Plumtree said. "He steered the ship perfectly."

Boyd's record with the Hurricanes now stands at 30-7 in two seasons and, most impressively, his side did not concede a single try in the 2016 playoffs.