John Plumtree will join the Hurricanes as part of a new coaching set-up for next season's Super Rugby campaign.

He will serve as an assistant to head coach Chris Boyd, in a role reversal from their time at the Sharks. Boyd served as Plumtree's assistant during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, and is the current Wellington Lions and New Zealand U20s coach.

Plumtree will return to Wellington, having previously coached the Wellington Lions (with Boyd) to three national provincial championship finals in four years. He will step down from his role as Irish forwards coach following their tour of Argentina this month.

The Hurricanes are likely to call on his wealth of experience coaching at this level, having enjoyed a five-year stint with the Sharks, who he took to the play-offs twice, including the final in 2012.

He also enjoyed success at Currie Cup level before he parted ways rather controversially following last season's failed Super Rugby campaign.

Both Boyd and Plumtree have signed on two-year deals, and will replace current coach Mark Hammett who has signed on for a role at Cardiff.

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