Plumtree confirms Canes talks

John Plumtree could be confirmed as the next Hurricanes head coach as soon as this week.

Plumtree confirmed yesterday that he’s in negotiations with the Super Rugby franchise to succeed Northampton-bound Chris Boyd. Assistant coach since 2015, Plumtree was previously head coach of the Sharks in Durban and said he had no plans to coach anywhere but Wellington.

Like Boyd, and Hurricanes backs coach Jason Holland, Plumtree is off-contract at the end of this season having been extended in 2016, after the Highlanders tried to coax him down to Dunedin.

The assumption at the time was that Plumtree opted to remain with the Hurricanes because he was promised the top job once Boyd’s contract expired.

‘‘I don’t think I’d be cheeky enough to put that [clause] in my contract,’’ a chuckling Plumtree said on Monday.

Plumtree was linked to an assistant coach’s role with the All Blacks last year. Boyd rubbished the reports, saying he and Plumtree had a succession plan in the place at the Hurricanes and nothing had changed.

‘‘Maybe in Boydy’s and my world, but there’s other decision makers around all of that,’’ said Plumtree.

‘‘If it happens, it happens. There would be a lot of continuity if it happened, but at the same time you can’t take anything for granted in the rugby business.

‘‘We’ll just see what happens this week. I’m happy doing whatever as long as I’m coaching here.’’

Plumtree confirmed he wasn’t considering any other options and would be happy with any role at the Hurricanes.

But he and Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee have been in talks for some time.

They’ve been conducted in greater earnest since Boyd informed the Hurricanes on January 26 that he’d accepted the director of rugby role at English club Northampton.

The Hurricanes are now eager to get Plumtree’s new contract signed and ensure everyone’s focus is solely on the upcoming Super Rugby season.

Plumtree said an announcement, one way or the other, would be made ‘‘pretty soon.’’

‘‘Hopefully before [the season starts]. But I don’t know, I’ve been cutting defence clips today. I don’t know anything about that.’’

Assuming Plumtree is appointed, he said he would be ‘‘honoured.’’

‘‘It’s a great club. I love it here. The Hurricanes have been in my blood a long time, even when I was coaching the Sharks,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m a Taranaki boy so, if it happens, then great. But like I said to you, my job’s to support Boydy and I’ll keep doing that until he finishes.’’

A former Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay forward, the 52-yearold Plumtree also played for Natal. He went on to coach Swansea in Wales, before taking on the Wellington and Sharks jobs.

He was assistant coach of Ireland immediately prior to coming to the Hurricanes.