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Cape Town - Outgoing Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd says the number of New Zealand coaches heading abroad should be a concern for the country’s rugby administrators.
Boyd was speaking after it was announced that he would leave the Hurricanes at the end of Super Rugby to become the director of rugby at English club Northampton Saints.
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald's website, Boyd said the problem in New Zealand is that once a coach reaches Super Rugby level “there's nowhere really to go”.
“It is an issue potentially for New Zealand rugby, the experience and intellectual property which ends up overseas,” he said.
Boyd added that the All Blacks' priorities made it tough for the franchise coaches.
"I understand and respect the 12-week break the All Blacks need but it is a bit rushed to get them back in," he said
When asked if he had consulted anyone at All Black level about his move to England: Boyd surprisingly revealed: "I haven't spoken to Steve Hansen (New Zealand coach) in three years so nothing changes in that space."
The 59-year-old Kiwi has agreed a three-year deal at Northampton.
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. He also has experience with South African franchise the Sharks - working as an assistant coach in Durban from 2009 to 2010 - and coached the ‘Baby Blacks’, New Zealand’s under-20 side, between 2011 and 2014.
Boyd was also an assistant coach during Tonga’s 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign when the pacific island nation famously beat France - the eventual losing finalists - for the first time.
Boyd’s assistant at the Hurricanes, John Plumtree, is expected to take over his role.
