Electric former All Black joins Hurricanes coaching staff

The Hurricanes have finalised their coaching group for 2019, with an exciting new addition set to join the side.

Current assistant John Plumtree will succeed Chris Boyd as head coach next year, and will be assisted by Jason Holland, forwards coach Richard Watt and scrum coach Dan Cron who have all committed for the 2019 season.

35-cap All Black Carlos Spencer will join the team as an assistant coach. Spencer has previously held coaching roles in South Africa at both the Currie Cup and Super Rugby level.

Plumtree was delighted to be able to lock in the coaching staff so early to allow them to focus on the remainder of the 2018 season to give the Hurricanes the best possible chance of winning another Super Rugby title.

He believed Spencer's involvement would only enhance the work the coaching staff were doing at the moment.

"I've worked with Carlos in South Africa when I was at the Sharks and I was impressed with him from what I saw then," he said.

"He has carried on that good work, not only in South Africa but in Japan, and I really look forward to working with him again. Everyone that I've spoken to about Carlos and the way he operates has impressed me and he is really positive about joining the group and the club."

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Plumtree said Watt and Cron had proven ability in their roles and the players continued to respond to what they were trying to achieve.

"I think it's really important to maintain that continuity in those areas and it's really good to be able to go to guys I know will deliver. Carlos will bring in fresh ideas and that's also important."

Spencer said he had long held an ambition to return to New Zealand and coach in a full-time capacity and was delighted to be afforded an opportunity with the Hurricanes.

"We are all moving in the same direction from the conversations I've had with Plum and I'm sure we will continue to reach and carry on the high standards the Hurricanes club demands," Spencer said in a statement.

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