Who Should be the Next Hurricanes Coach?

In a shock announcement today, Hurricanes coach, Mark Hammett announced that he would be stepping down from his role after 4 seasons in charge of the Wellington based Super Rugby franchise.

The search is now on for a new coach for 2015 and James Te Puni is quite keen to have one named by June.

So who should be the next Hurricanes coach? Here are some names to consider -

1. Peter Russell - The former Hawkes Bay coach has recently resigned from his post as coach of English Premiership side, the Newcastle Falcons, for personal reasons - indicating that Russell is keen for a return to New Zealand. The Hurricanes job could be perfect for a coach who was once the hottest property in New Zealand rugby after guiding a Magpies side that had only been playing Second Division NPC Rugby to the playoffs of the Air New Zealand Cup. With experience coaching at the highest level of club rugby, Russell is possibly primed for the head coach role at a Super Rugby side.

2. Robbie Deans - the most eligible and qualified coach without a job at the moment, Robbie Deans would be another controversial choice from red and black land, that the Hurricanes management might prefer to avoid after the Hammett experience. However, putting provincial bias aside, Deans would be a glamour choice for the Canes and as long as he still has the touch he had from Crusaders times, could guide the Hurricanes to the Super Rugby glory they've long craved. On the other hand,  he has a lot of work to repair his image after ditching New Zealand to coach the Wallabies for 5 seasons.

3. Chris Boyd - current coach of the Wellington Lions and the New Zealand under-20 team but a very risky choice given he has never coached at Super Rugby level. However, he has experience with coaching the emerging stars of New Zealand rugby and given the youth available in the Hurricanes, Chris Boyd could be a match made in heaven until he comes up against the Aussie and South African Super Rugby franchises.