The Sharks have announced the appointment of Chris Boyd from New Zealand as Assistant Coach for the Vodacom Super 14 in 2009.
Sharks Media Release
“Chris comes with an established pedigree having worked with Coach John Plumtree at the Wellington Lions,” says Sharks’ CEO Brian van Zyl. “Since John’s own appointment we have seen the emergence of a remarkable game dominance by the forwards and his quiet, authoritative style has seen The Sharks at last come of age in the Absa Currie Cup.”
“Chris brings nearly 20 years’ experience with the Wellington franchise, across their B Provincial Team through club and then four years as Assistant Coach in the provincial competition,” explains Sharks’ Head Coach John Plumtree. “His achievements extend to the confidence shown by IRANZ (former All Black Murray Mexted’s Academy) where he was a Coaching Facilitator.
“He was largely instrumental in the mentoring, coaching and development of current All Blacks Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Cory Jane and Piri Weepu. He will add huge value to The Sharks.”
There is no doubt that John Plumtree rates Chris highly and his success with a high-calibre line up of All Black backline players means his skills and experience will be used to extend the solid foundation already established in the forwards.
Chris is currently employed by SPARC, a New Zealand organisation that employs people to assist sporting bodies in the coaching of coaches for team sports. A true family man, this late forties father is married with four children, adding another dimension of maturity and experience to the coaching team.
Welcome to The Sharks Chris.

Interesting… anyone ever heard of this bloke?
@robdylan (Comment 1) :
nah…
@robdylan (Comment 1) :
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 2) :
Me neither
@McLovin (Comment 3) : well, if Plum rates him and they’ve worked well together in the past…
@robdylan (Comment 4) : amen, brother. 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 5) :
We need to start a church..
some new blood and ideas are always good
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 6) : I’ll take collection… 😉
Seems like a good move this. Nothing ventured nothing gained, as they say.
@McLovin (Comment 8) :
as long as you practise what you preach.. 😆
apparently someone very important to me rates him too 😉
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
Let guess…BRAD??? 😛 ❓
Wellington Lions Coach 2003-2006 – 3 Finals
NZRU Resource Coach 2004-2006 U17/19
Wellington XV/ Wellington Academy Coach 2001-2006
Prime Ministers Coaching Scholarship ( UK ) 2004
Wellington B Head Coach 2001-2002
Wellington Development Team Coach 1999-2000
Tawa Rugby Club – Head Coach 1990-1999
Licensed IRB Trainer
18 years continuous Rugby Coaching experience
IRANZ staff coach and coaching course facilitator
@McLovin (Comment 13) :
Thanks, Google.. 😀
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 12) : no… someone who knows more about rugby coaching than anyone else I know… the one and only MorneN
@robdylan (Comment 15) :
😳 😳 I did not know you and monnas was that close… 😉
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 16) : That are funny…
@McLovin (Comment 17) :
hell…would might misteak me fors Piets Wife! 😆
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 16) : it’s purely platonic, I assure you 😉
@robdylan (Comment 19) :
That’s what my ex also said… 😆
“A true family man, this late forties father is married with four children, adding another dimension of maturity and experience to the coaching team”
I reckon that must have been the decider!
@Baldrick (Comment 21) : most definitely 😉
I presume Bashford, current assistant coach, has fewer kids and thus has been overtaken into 3IC!
@Baldrick (Comment 23) : Bashy is coming on in leaps and bounds, there’s no doubt about that
@robdylan (Comment 24) : robbo think about it wellington become a feeder for sharks with plum and the new gyuy?? maybe a few good players can come join
@robdylan (Comment 24) : rob maybe thats because plum is letting him
Great to see ideas from outside the republic flowing in – Oz and Kiwi coaches will bring different strengths.
I just hope newbie is comfortable with disagreeing with Plumtree – authoritarian apporaches often lead to stagnation.